The London 2012 Olympic and
Paralympic Games
The East of England is perfectly placed to play a key role in
this exciting celebration of sporting excellence
The East of England
Hosting two high-adrenaline sports competitions in
2012, the region will be in the thick of the action - with
Cycling (Mountain Bike) at Hadleigh Farm
(nr. Benfleet) in Essex, and the Canoe/Kayak Slalom
at Broxbourne in Hertfordshire.
Cycling (Mountain Bike) - Hadleigh Farm
This new venue covers a 550 acre site situated close
to the village of Hadleigh. It encompasses the
grassland and woodland of Hadleigh Farm (land
owned by The Salvation Army) and the surrounding
countryside of Hadleigh Castle Country Park. There
are two major hill areas, separated by a valley which
will create the technical climbs for the course.
Canoe/Kayak Slalom - Broxbourne
The creation of a permanent world-class White Water
Canoe Centre, featuring a 300m competition course
and a 100m warm-up course. Located within a wider
parkland setting, up to 12,000 spectators will able
to watch the events.
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Pre-Games Training Camps
When it comes to pre-games training facilities, the East of England can offer
convenience and quality, along with the highest standards of service. Click here
for the London 2012 Games section on our corporate web site, where you can
download our East of England - Rising to the Challenge guide (also
available in French and Spanish).
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Cultural Olympiad
The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are about more than sport. Host
cities must also stage the Cultural Olympiad - a series of events to showcase
our arts and culture to the rest of the world. This four year celebration was launched
on the weekend of the 26-28 September 2008.
Cultural Olympid - London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games
and Paralympic Games (LOCOG)
www.london2012.com/get-involved/cultural-olympiad
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Sporting Greats
The East of England has nurtured the talents of many top competitors.
- Long distance runner Paula Radcliffe's home town
is Bedford, where she attended Sharnbrook Upper
School. Paula has an Honorary Doctor of Art Degree
from De Montfont University, and remains a member
of Bedford County Athletics.
- Rower Tim Foster also hails from Bedford. He
attended the town's Modern School, joining the
rowing team. At the Sydney 2000 Games, Tim won a
gold medal in the coxless fours.
- English badminton player Gail Emms was born in
Hitchin. She won the silver medal in the mixed
doubles at the Athens 2004 Games.
- Athletics star Sally Gunnell was born and brought
up at Chigwell. She won gold at the Barcelona 1992
Games in the 400m hurdles.
- Louis Smith chose gymnastics over Peterborough
Cathedral choir. He was born in the city, and made
history at the Beijing 2008 Games by becoming the
first British man to win an individual gymnastics
medal (bronze) on the pommel horse.
- Ipswich is the home town of Karen Pickering, Britain's most decorated female
swimmer. She became the first British woman to win a world championship title.
- Among the most successful British swimmers of all time, Mark Foster carried the
flag for Great Britain at the 2008 opening ceremony of the Beijing Games. Born at
Billericay, he attended school in Southend-on-Sea and now lives at St. Neots.
- English world champion track cyclist Victoria Pendleton was born at Stotfold
(nr. Baldock). She is an honorary member of the Mildenhall Cycling Club. Victoria
won a gold medal in the track cycling sprint at the Beijing 2008 Games.
- Fellow cyclist Ross Edgar was born at Newmarket, and lives in the nearby village
of Ousden. He attended both Scaltback Middle School and Newmarket Upper
School. Ross won silver in the track cycling keirin at the Beijing 2008 Games.
- British javelin thrower Goldie Sayers was born in Newmarket and lives in nearby
Ely. She has won several national titles and holds the current UK throwing record.
- Sharon Hunt was part of the bronze winning equestrian eventing team at the
Beijing 2008 Games. She was born at Bury St. Edmunds, and lives in the nearby
village of Great Saxham - where she runs 'Sharon Hunt Eventing'.
The London 2012 Olympic and
Paralympic Games are about more than
sport. Host cities must also stage the
Cultural Olympiad - a series of events to
showcase our arts and culture to the
rest of the world
Sporting Excellence
The region is home to top class sporting venues.
Football
Enjoy the ‘beautiful game' with Britain's national
sport. The region has three clubs which play in The
Coca-Cola Football League Championship. Norwich
is noted for its connections with famous chef Delia
Smith, who is a director and majority shareholder. At
Ipswich, you can go 'Behind the Blues' on a stadium
tour. Pop superstar Elton John is a keen supporter
and honorary Life President at Watford.
Running and Cycling
Bedford is noted for its athletics stadium - which
holds national and international events. Inspired by
the famous film of the same name, the Chariots of
Fire race (September) at Cambridge is a charity
relay race through the city. Cycling is the mode of
travel for the Mildenhall Cycling Rally. Held in
August, it features grass track racing and
cyclo-cross. Whilst the town centre at Brentwood
plays host to challenging cycle races in June.
Click here for our cycling and walking pages.
Equine
The region is home to five racecourses at Fakenham, Great Leighs
(nr. Chelmsford), Great Yarmouth, Huntingdon and Newmarket. The latter is
internationally renowned for being the historic home of horseracing, with
around 2,500 horses, numerous stable yards and training gallops. Burghley
House (nr. Peterborough) is the home of the famous horse trials in
September - an comprehensive test of all-round horsemanship.
Watersports
With 250 miles (402 kilometres) of coastline, and a superb selection of inland
waters - the East of England offers some of the best areas for watersports in the
country. The famous University city of Cambridge is noted for its college rowing
teams. Look out for them practising on the river. Burnham-on-Crouch, known
as the 'Cowes of the east coast', is home of the longest running annual yacht
regatta (held in August) on the UK mainland.
Click here for our watersports page.
Sporting Excellence (continued)
Other
For Rugby Union, head to Bedford, where the team
plays in National League Division One. Whilst
Watford is home of the successful Saracens team,
who compete in the Guinness Premiership. The
county of Essex plays in the Cricket County
Championship Division Two - with their
impressive ground located at Chelmsford.
Woburn Abbey is noted for its three golf courses,
which have played host to several key tournaments.
In August/September, Great Yarmouth holds the
largest outdoor bowls tournament in the country. Just
down the road, the Potters Leisure Resort at Hopton-
on-Sea is the venue in January for the televised
World Indoor Bowls Championships. For a taste of
Wimbledon - the Lawn Tennis Club at Felixstowe
holds the East of England International Tennis
Championships at the start of July. Heading south,
the club at Frinton-on-Sea (founded 1899) was once
regarded as the major venue in the UK tennis
calendar after Wimbledon - and still attracts the
world's leading players.
Further Information
London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games
and Paralympic Games (LOCOG)
www.london2012.com/in-your-area/east-of-england/index.php
