COUNTY LENDS SUPPORT TO LONDON BID
Copyright 2004 www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk

[ October 4th 2004 ]

TV personality Nell McAndrew and courageous triathlete Jane Tomlinson will be joined at Leeds City Station by Olympians, Paralympians and children from the area, as representatives from Yorkshire Forward set off to deliver a hand-bound document supporting the bid. On arrival at London 2012's offices at Canary Wharf, it will be presented with a symbolic Yorkshire rose to Minister for Sport, Richard Caborn, to showcase Yorkshire's support.

Terry Hodgkinson, chairman of Yorkshire Forward, said: "We fully support the London bid for 2012 as, if successful, it will open up a whole host of opportunities for businesses and people across the UK, including those based in the Yorkshire and Humber region. Therefore, it is essential that every person from every region gets behind the bid."

It is hoped that several of the region's sporting facilities - including Sheffield's Don Valley stadium, Leeds's Headingley Stadium and Hull's KC Stadium, as well as a number of university facilities - could be used to host Olympic preliminary tournaments and provide excellent training locations.

Mr Hodgkinson added: "Virtually all types of industry will benefit from Olympic-related spin-offs, which will stem from an increased number of tourists visiting our county, not just during the games themselves, but for years either side of the event. Potentially, more individuals of all ages and abilities will be encouraged to take up a sport, thereby increasing regional fitness levels. The facilities we have available and planned for the next seven years will undoubtedly provide outstanding platforms for athletes from nearly 200 countries to hone their skills before the event commences."

Jonathan Metcalfe, chief operating officer of GNER, said this region is particularly well-placed to support the London 2012 bid due to its excellent transport links. He said: "GNER can carry more than 60,000 people per day between London and Yorkshire, which offers tremendous scope for competing athletes, officials and fans to base themselves in the region and travel to venues in the south."