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Plans are well under way to ensure that West Sussex plays a full part in the 2012 London Olympics. The County Council is backing bids by two consortia for the Olympic teams and paralympic teams to use West Sussex as a training base.
One consortium, Chichester Gold, is based around the University of Chichester which has a wide experience of working with athletes training for Olympic triumph. The other, Gatwick Diamond, is centred on the following prime sporting locations around the county.
· K2 Leisure Centre, Crawley
· Christ's Hospital School and Bluecoat Sports Club, Horsham
· East Grinstead Sports Club, Mid Sussex
· Olympos Burgess Hill, Mid Sussex
· The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, Mid Sussex
o Nivea Sun Yellowave, Brighton & Hove is also part of the consortium.
The County Council is investing £120,000 in the next two years in a countywide Games project, which includes the pre-games camps activities. The County Council investment is being matched by contributions from partner organisations. It is hoped the Olympics and Paralympics will bring £20 million worth of business into West Sussex every year between 2008 and 2016.
There will be a series of showcase sporting events at these venues to demonstrate the high quality facilities on offer. The events will also act as a focal point to inspire and encourage communities throughout West Sussex to become involved in Games-related activities.
The first of these will be the Gatwick Diamond Games. These will be held at the consortium’s venues over the weekend of June 9 and 10. In a series of exciting sporting events, young people from across Sussex will compete alongside elite regional and national championships.
Mike Coleman, Deputy Leader of West Sussex County Council, said:
“I would like to wish everyone involved in the Gatwick Diamond Games a great experience, and thank those who have worked so hard to organise the events.
“In West Sussex, we are working together to secure the maximum benefit from the 2012 Games for residents, businesses, organisations and communities. We also want to ensure a lasting legacy from our efforts including the sporting, community and economic benefits.”
Mike is also chairman of the West Sussex Olympic and Paralympic Games Working Group, set up to co-ordinate the countywide effort, which includes seeking sponsorship.
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