In The Press
University and Royal High selected for Olympic training
From Bath Chronicle Thu 6 Mar, 2008
UNIVERSITY AND ROYAL HIGH SELECTED FOR OLYMPIC TRAINING
From the Bath Chronicle 6 March 2008
The University of Bath’s extensive training facilities have been approved for use in 22 different sports in the run up to the 2012 Olympics.
London Games organisers have released a list of more than 600 facilities across the UK cleared to host visiting Olympic teams for training camps.
The pre-Games Training Camp Guide will go to every national Olympic and Paralympic committee in the world.
The university’s campus at Claverton Down has been approved for training for a variety of sports ranging from archery to athletics, fencing to football and table tennis to taekwondo.
Ged Roddy, director of sport at the University of Bath, said :”The guide highlights the fact that the sporting facilities at the University of Bath are among the best and most comprehensive in the UK.
“One of our strengths that is sure to appeal to the national Olympic committees seeking training venues is that we can provide facilities and support for a large number of sports on one site.
“The guide says we have been approved for 22 different sports – a large number by the standards of most other potential venues.
“We will, of course, continue to support the training and development of the many British athletes who use our fantastic facilities as they strive for podium places at the Games.”
An article in The Daily Telegraph early this week reported the Chinese were interested in using the University of Bath.
However, the University said it would not comment on negotiations it was having with countries.
Among the other 60 venues in the South West listed in the guide are the archery facilities at The Royal High School.
School spokesman Deryck Goodman said: “We are delighted to have the chance to offer hospitality to overseas sports teams.
“The major investment we have had in both our sports facilities and boarding accommodation in the last few years will certainly have helped us to win entry into the guide.
“We regularly host visiting school sports teams from other parts of the world.
“It will be marvellous to have members of a national Olympic squad staying with us.”
Lord Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Games, said: “The process we have been through shows a great spread of high quality of facilities throughout the UK that can be used by elite level athletes.”
Olympics minister Tessa Jowell said: ”The strength and diversity of our sporting infrastructure are demonstrated by so many high quality facilities having met the strict criteria to be included in this guide.
“This is a real opportunity for communities across the UK to capitalise on the benefits that hosting 2012 offers.
There will be fierce competition to host foreign teams and individuals and now it is for every nation and region, every venue, to sell itself internationally.”
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