Olympic mountain-biking
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) today confirmed that subject to final contract negotiations, the venue for the 2012 Mountain Biking events will be at Hadleigh Farm, Essex.
The new venue covers a 550 acre site situated close to the town of Hadleigh, nr Benfleet in Essex. It encompasses the outstandingly beautiful grassland and woodland of Hadleigh Farm owned by the Salvation Army as well as parts of Hadleigh Castle Country Park.
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 Bike event of the London 2012 Olympic 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, The Salvation Army UK and ROI said: "The Salvation Army is delighted to be working with Essex County Council to create the Olympic mountain bike venue at Hadleigh Farm. Beyond meeting the technical requirements for the event, we are committed to working in partnership with the Council, Olympic organisers 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."
Cllr Pam Challis, Leader of Castle Point Borough Council, said: "I am delighted this has finally been agreed and this exciting event will be coming to Castle Point. This really will put our borough on the map. We will be working extremely hard to make sure the heritage of the area is preserved, while also ensuring the event brings a legacy which enhances the whole borough."
The alternative site was chosen following the decision in January 2008 to move the competition away from Weald Country Park in Essex after a change in requirements for the sport that resulted in the need to identify a shorter but more technical and challenging course. The new course at Hadleigh Farm includes two major hill areas, separated by a valley which will create the technical climbs to challenge the competitors from around the world in less than four years time.
Essex County Council, The Salvation Army and Castle Point Borough Council have been working closely together to ensure that Hadleigh Farm delivers a world class mountain biking facility and will leave a lasting legacy for local people.
This venue change for the Games has been approved by the Union Cycliste International (UCI), the British Cycling (BC), the International Olympic Committee, and the British Olympic Association.
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