Representatives from the Chinese Olympic Committee have visited Yorkshire to assess the possibility of the region being a potential location for its athletes to train in the lead up to London 2012.
The tour, which took place in April, looked at locations in both Leeds and Sheffield. The delegation included Mr Zhaocai Du, Secretary General of the China Athletics Association and member of the Chinese Olympic Committee, as well as Mr Shuyoung Feng, National Team Head Coach and Vice President of the China Athletics Association. They met representatives from both Leeds and Sheffield City Councils.
During the visit, the group toured Leeds Metropolitan University and John Charles Centre for Sport in Leeds, as well as Sheffield International Venues managed Don Valley Stadium and the English Institute of Sport - Sheffield. They also spent time assessing other services they would need such as accommodation and the sports science support which could be provided by both Leeds Metropolitan University and Sheffield Hallam University.
The Chinese visit concludes a busy month for the region, which has also seen similar meetings with representatives from the Turkish and Slovenian Olympic Committees, who also visited both Leeds and Sheffield to assess sports facilities.
Mr Shuyoung Feng, Vice President of China Athletics Association commented during the visit:
“We have visited both Leeds and Sheffield and the facilities are very good. We also met Alistair Brownlee at Leeds Met University and Jessica Ennis who was training at EIS Sheffield and we were able to speak to them both during our visit. We have been impressed so far.”
Gary Clifton, Sheffield City Council’s Major Sports Events and 2012 Programme Manager said:
“Our experience in hosting international sports events has given us the knowledge, experience and infrastructure that is required by Olympic and Paralympic athletes for their pre-games training camps in the lead up to the London 2012 Games. We were delighted to host these international nations, and look forward to working with them to develop opportunities in the lead up to the Games in 2012.”
Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Judith Elliott said:
“The visit by the Chinese, Turkish and Slovenian Olympic officials was very positive. We were delighted to welcome them to our city and their interest reflects the high quality of the sports training facilities, accommodation and ‘lifestyle’ which Leeds can provide. We look forward to continuing discussions with all of these countries as they develop their pre- Games preparation plans for London 2012.”
Sheffield and Leeds City Councils are working in conjunction with Yorkshire Gold, the regional committee for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, to develop opportunities for Yorkshire in the lead up to the Games. Pre-Games Training camps are one of the identified opportunities where the Yorkshire region can benefit from London hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.
The visits and potential to host international teams in the lead up to London 2012 help to focus a spotlight on Yorkshire and the world class sporting infrastructure available in the region.
Yorkshire has already seen a financial benefit from international training camps and similar events held over the last three years, which has generated more than £1 million for the region’s economy. This figure is likely to increase considerably in the lead up to London 2012 and in the long term as a result of closer business and cultural ties being developed.
For further information, contact Nichola Atherton at Ruby Slippers (on behalf of Sheffield City Council) on 0114 2217487 / 07855745521 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
For Leeds City Council contact Leisure Media Relations Officer Roger Boyde on 0113 247 5472, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or mobile 07891 270 580.
IMAGE: Taken of members of the Chinese delegation in Sheffield’s Peace Gardens
