Abby Brammell

The epicentre: An artist's impression of London's Olympic Stadium


The Chinese are on the brink of booking the newest state-of-the-art sports facilities in the UK for their 2012 Olympic Games preparation camp because the British Olympic Association are still deliberating on their choice of venue.

The University of Surrey, whose £40million Surrey Sports Park opens in April, have been in discussions with the BOA for around a year about Team GB using the Guildford site as their main holding camp.

But with no decision being made while the BOA review the whole of their preparation plans, the Chinese are showing strong interest in coming to Surrey instead.


Australia have also examined Surrey Sports Park but the Chinese are in pole position to take use of a complex which has all the necessary high-tech facilities and is well placed for an easy move to the athletes village in Stratford when the Games begin.

The BOA announced with much hullabaloo in January 2008 that over 750 GB athletes from 21 sports would prepare for the 2012 Games at the Aldershot Garrison.

But a new BOA regime brought in after Beijing are now looking at all elements of the build-up. Aldershot’s role is sure to be downgraded, with some sports wanting to make their own plans.

The BOA say their agreement with Aldershot is not a binding contract.

A BOA spokesperson said: ‘A number of different options at a variety of potential bases are being considered. Aldershot will be used but not in the way first envisaged. Surrey Sports Park is just one of the venues we have looked at.’


source: dailymail