Partner Article

Region could host Olympic base

South American country Colombia is to hold talks about its 2012 Olympic training camp being based in the North East.

Colombia has signed an agreement with One North East to stage discussions.

The announcement was made as Lord Coe, chairman of the London 2012 organising committee, toured some of the area’s facilities on Thursday.

The Colombian team had 68 athletes at Beijing 2008.

The South Americans focused on boxing, athletics, weightlifting and swimming.

Lord Coe, speaking during a visit to the South Durham Gymnastics Centre in Spennymoor, said hosting the Colombians would help the North East get involved in the run-up to the games.

He said: “It is about coming to a community that understands sport and sport is pretty deep in the DNA of the North East of England.”

The British Chamber of Commerce in Colombia, Sport England and former world champion boxer Glenn McCrory have also been involved in the negotiations.

Stacy Hall, Director of Communications and Tourism at One North East, said: “I’m pleased that we are now in talks with Colombia to discuss their use of the region as a base to train athletes for the London 2012 Games.

“I would also like to thank all the organisations and individuals that have helped make these talks possible. This partnership is exciting news and is a testament to the world class facilities we have in place to support international sporting events.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .