New Mountain Biking venue in Essex confirmed for the London 2012 Games

LONDON, ENGLAND (August 11, 2008) The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) today confirmed that subject to final contract negotiations, the venue for the Mountain Biking events will be at Hadleigh Farm, Essex.

The alternative site was chosen following the decision in January 2008 to move the competition away from The Weald Country Park in Essex after a change in requirements for the sport that resulted in the need to identify a more technical and challenging course.

This venue change for the Games has been approved by the International Cycling Union (UCI), British Cycling (BC), the International Olympic Committee, and the British Olympic Association.

The new venue covers a 550 acre site situated close to the village of Hadleigh, near Benfleet in Essex. The site encompasses the outstandingly beautiful 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 to challenge the competitors from around the world in less than four years time. The course will be set against the stunning backdrop of the 700-year-old ruins of Hadleigh Castle.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG today said: 'It is testament to the hard work of everyone in involved that we have been able to confirm an alternative venue for the Mountain Biking competition only seven months after the venue change was announced.

'In Hadleigh Farm we have a world class venue for Games time with the potential for an excellent facility for elite and community use post Games.'

Pat McQuaid, President of UCI said: 'The UCI is delighted with Hadleigh Farm and believe it will be a spectacular Mountain Biking venue for London 2012. It has a wonderful terrain and offers a unique opportunity for spectators to view the majority of the course.

'Our technical experts believe it meets all the requirements of an Olympic Mountain Biking course with a range of elevations that will provide a challenging course for competitors.'

Peter King, CEO of British Cycling said: 'We are delighted that such a stunning alternative venue has been found to host Mountain Biking for the London 2012 Games. With an approximate journey time of 45 minutes to Hadleigh Farm from the Olympic Park, the proximity to the Olympic Village will be of immense value to the Mountain Biking competitors.

'The potential for retaining a Mountain Biking course at Hadleigh Farm is very exciting as the sport is becoming increasingly popular in the UK and we want to build participation through the undoubted surge in interest in the run up to and after the London 2012 Games.'

Cllr Stephen Castle, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Regeneration and the 2012 Games said: 'I am absolutely delighted Hadleigh Farm is the chosen venue for the Mountain Biking event of the London 2012 Games. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase Hadleigh and South Essex to the world, to provide a real legacy both for local people and the international mountain bike community and show everyone all Essex can offer for sport, business, tourism and sustainable regeneration.'

Major David Hinton, Secretary for Business Administration of The Salvation Army UK and the Republic of Ireland said: 'The Salvation Army is delighted to be working with Essex County Council to create the 2012 Games Mountain Biking venue at Hadleigh Farm.

'Beyond meeting the technical requirements for the event, we are committed to working in partnership with Essex County Council, the London 2012 Organising Committee and the local community to ensure not only a great event in 2012 but also long lasting benefits for the community and the county as a whole after the Games. We look forward to being part of this exciting initiative.'

Next steps for the London 2012 Organising Committee and Essex County Council include a four month period of detailed planning on the course layout and the temporary facilities required to host the event; securing contractual agreements between all parties; working with the local community on an engagement programme and the announcement in the autumn of the Cycling Competition Manager.

IOC Announcement of London Being Awarded the 2012 Summer Olympics

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

PASADENA, TEXAS (July 6, 2008) Below is a video clip of the announcement of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarding the Games of the 30th Olympiad to London. London will be the first city to host three Summer Olympic Games (1908, 1948, 2012)

At the Raffles City Convention Center in Singapore, the IOC held its 117th Session to determine the host of the 2012 Games.

Below the clip is the rest of the story, outlining the results of the votes.



Five cities (London, Paris, Madrid, New York City, and Moscow) were in contention.

In the first round, Moscow was eliminated. The votes, submitted by secret ballot, were as follows:
London-22
Paris-21
Madrid-20
New York City-19
Moscow-15

In the next round, New York City was eliminated: The results of the vote were:
Madrid-32
London-27
Paris-25
New York City-16

During the thirds round, Madrid was eliminated. The votes were:
London-39
Paris-33
Madrid-31

In the fourth and final round, London garnered 54 votes to Paris' 50 and were awarded the Games for 2012.

At the present times, Madrid is in the running to host the 2016 Olympic Games. The other three cities have abandon bids at this time.

Welcome to TexSport Publications' Coverage of the Games of the 30th Olympiad-London 2012

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

PASADENA, TEXAS (August 3, 2008) With the 2008 Summer Olympic Games set to begin in four days, all attention will be focused on Beijing, China. However in four years, on July 27, 2012 the Summer Olympics Opening Ceremonies will occur.

In 1454 days, all eyes will be on London and the 30th edition of the Olympic dream that Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin first presented to an an international congress on 23 June 1894 at the Sorbonne in Paris.

I have attended three Olympic Games (1984, 1992, 1996). I was hoping to travel to Beijing to cover the Games, however job and family responsibilities put the kibosh on that quest a while back.

This forum will keep everyone updated on news, videos, and my general and specific views of the Games in London.

I am planning, along with my loyal and faithful photographer Darla Tamulitis, to attend the Games in Beijing. The date of the Games, July 27-August 12, 2012, should not conflict with any of our other commitments.

By living in the Houston, Texas area, which it turning into a hotbed of Olympic training for athletes of many countries, may provide the basis of a story or two in the lead up to London 2012.

I will be writing and posting regular stories during the next few months with more frequent submissions as the 2012 Olympics approach.

My next post will be the video of the announcement of London receiving the Games.

Check back often for further stories and interesting information of the Games of the 30th Olympiad.