Member Article

Olympics Minister visits North East

It is 200 days until the London 2012 Olympic Games, and the Minister for Sport and Olympics Hugh Robertson has visited the region to mark the occasion.

At the event, Mr Robertson praised the North East’s sporting heritage, and stressed the opportunities the arrival of the Olympic Games will present.

“The Olympic Games are principally about sport, but it has also brought money directly to local businesses - either those who have been involved with construction projects or those who have been involved in the operation of the Games,” he commented.

“I hope it will bring huge dividends to the region, and when the Torch finally comes to the North East it will give people and businesses the opportunity to showcase everything the region has to offer and will drive tourism going forward.

Mr Robertson met with local school children at Durham Country Cricket Club to witness how the event is inspiring more youngsters to get active and get into sport. He was quick to praise the region’s sporting giants for their commitment to the communities around them.

“When I think of the North East, I see it as a great sporting powerhouse - there are 3 great football clubs, Durham County Cricket Club all of which are great examples of a local production line of talent.

“What’s more however, is how seriously these clubs take their community obligations - there are fantastic outreach programmes and a real link between what happens on the pitch and young people in the community wanting to play sport - and that’s what sets this part of the world apart from others.”

He was also shown the plans which have been put in place if the Cricket Club is chosen as a Pre-Games training venue. looking forward, he is now encouraging as many people as possible to get involved with the games.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity, and people will benchmark themselves in years to come by where they were in 2012, and if you think it’s all down south, then you’re going to miss out.”

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