Press Release Date: 02/08/2006
The Isle of Wight Council will use the first commercial flight from Sandown Airport to London City Airport today (2 August) to visit the headquarters of the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, and explore the potential for the Island to become a key location for pre Games training.
Councillor David Pugh, one of the successful team which clinched the Island Games for the Isle of Wight in Rhodes last month, will be flying out of Sandown - at the invitation of Wight Air - on the new regular service from the Isle of Wight to London. While in London, Councillor Pugh will be meeting with representatives from the London 2012 team to see the preparations being made and to put the Island’s case for becoming a key location for athletes’ training.
The information gained will be presented at a meeting next week between the council and the Island games team, who are beginning preparations for the Island Games 2011 which is being hosted by the Isle of Wight.
Councillor David Pugh said: “With 2011 and 2012 the Island has great potential to offer sporting opportunities to the next generation of Island athletes. As we begin to prepare for the 2011 Island Games, we also want to explore how the IW could be a leading training location for the London 2012 Games the following year.
“This also highlights the accessibility of the Island for athletes arriving in the UK - being able to reach the Island in 40 minutes. Lord Coe has already recognised the Island Games as a key milestone on the road to 2012 and we want to make this a reality.”
Compiled by Sarah Moss on behalf of www.iwight.com - The Isle of Wight Portal for living, working and visiting the IOW, developed by the Isle od Wight Council.