Bury St Edmunds may be welcoming Olympic teams from around the world, thanks to being listed in an important handbook of recommended training locations.
The announcement was made today (Monday 3 March) that the West Suffolk Athletics Arena at Western Way has been put on the approved list of Olympic training facilities. St Edmundsbury Borough Council and Abbeycroft Leisure made a joint bid to promote the facility, which fulfils technical requirements of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and is an ideal location with the Olympic village in easy travelling distance.
Cllr Lynsey Alexander, Cabinet member for Culture and Sport at St Edmundsbury Borough Council said:
"We are delighted that Bury St Edmunds has been listed in this handbook, which will be used by visiting teams to choose where they want to come and train in the build-up to and just prior to the Olympic Games in London, in 2012. A very warm welcome awaits those who do decide to use our outstanding facilities."
Brian Jones, chairman of Abbeycroft Leisure, said:
"It is fantastic news that West Suffolk Athletics Arena at Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre has been included in the London 2012 Pre-Games Training Guide. This earmarks the facility as a potential training base for National Olympic Committees leading up to the 2012 games and this is clearly an exciting opportunity for everyone involved, including the local community.
"This announcement is a key achievement but the hard work is about to begin as all partners will now make every attempt to attract international athletes to these excellent facilities."
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Issued By Sally Easton, Communications Unit, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, Phone: 01284 757046 email: sally.easton@stedsbc.gov.uk
