23 September 2008
Sebastian Coe visits Lancashire and Cheshire
Sebastian Coe KBE, Chair of the London Organising Committee of
the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), is visiting the
Northwest today (September 23rd) as a guest of the Northwest
Steering Group for the 2012 Games to see how the region is engaging
with London 2012 and progressing with legacy plans.
Seb will visit two sports venues in Preston in the morning and
move onto Crewe in the afternoon, and will meet a number of the
region’s athletes who have recently returned from Beijing 2008, as
well as Sir Philip Craven MBE, President of the International
Paralympic Committee.
Seb said:
“Our vision is to inspire children and young people through the
London 2012 Games. The region’s athletes at the Bejing 2008 Olympic
and Paralympic Games have certainly done this.
“By motivating young people in the Northwest and capturing their
imagination we can help them to fulfill their potential, and create
a legacy that will continue long after the London 2012 Games have
ended.”
“The athletes, coaches, facilities and programmes I’m visiting
today provide a springboard for Olympic and Paralympic success in
2012. They are also the foundations for building a Games
legacy that will provide long term benefits to people in Preston,
Crewe and around the region for years to come.”
He will first tour West View Leisure Centre in Preston where he
will be greeted by representatives of Lancashire Sport, Preston
City Council and the NWDA including Andy Worthington, Chair of the
Northwest Steering Group for the 2012 Games. During the tour he
will watch swimmers in action and talk to members of Gallica
Swimming Club regarding their aspirations for London 2012 and
Lancashire’s aspiration to get its first 50m pool, offering a
tangible legacy inspired by The Games.
Seb will then visit Preston Sports Arena to view the facilities
and see a selection of sports activities by young people from the
Lancashire Youth Games. He will be accompanied by returning Beijing
2008 athletes Bronze medal winner for Track Cycling Chris Newton
and Preston Harriers’ own Helen Clitheroe (3000m steeplechase.
Seb will make an address on the British team’s success in
Beijing, plans for London 2012 and the opportunities within
Lancashire for involvement in The Games.
Andy Worthington, Chair of the Northwest Steering Group for the
2012 Games, said:
“It is wonderful that Seb is visiting the Northwest to see some of
the excellent sporting facilities we can boast, celebrate our
returning athletes who did so well in Beijing and meet our aspiring
young athletes for London 2012. The fantastic success and
excitement of Beijing provides a taste of what we can expect in
four years’ time and the timing of this visit so soon after Beijing
is ideal. The Northwest is already embracing the spirit of the
Games and the great opportunities that come with them.”
Peter Mearns, Director of Marketing at the NWDA, said:
“The Northwest is passionate about sport and London 2012 presents
the chance for the region to participate fully with the most
prestigious sporting event in the world.
“Communities, young people and businesses across the Northwest have
a great deal to gain from The Games and the NWDA will continue to
work hard with partners to ensure the region capitalises upon this
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
In the afternoon Seb will travel to Manchester Metropolitan
University’s Crewe campus to meet Cheshire stakeholders for London
2012 and some of Cheshire’s top athletes. Warrington-based John
Stubbs who won gold in Paralympic Archery at Beijing 2008, Olympic
gymnast Beth Tweddle and Matt Dimbylow who represented Britain at
Paralympic Football will all attend. Seb will also meet Crewe-based
Sir Philip who recently played an essential part in the closing
ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games when he handed the
Paralympic flag to London mayor Boris Johnson.
Following a walk around the campus meeting students, the visit
will move onto Cumberland Sports Centre, a facility listed in the
London 2012 Olympic Pre-Games Training Camp Guide. During the tour
Lord Coe will see students taking part in sporting activities and
talk to young people as well as users from the local community.
Adrian Leather, Chief Executive of Lancashire Sport Partnership
and member of the Lancashire 2012 Group, said:
“We are delighted to have Seb visiting Lancashire today. His visit
confirms our county's role and contribution to The Games and our
high hopes for their Legacy. Lancashire has some of the highest
quality sports facilities in the Country and we're hoping to host
visiting overseas Olympic teams in 2012.
“Lancashire has significant plans to mark the 2012 Games with
cultural events and sporting activities as well as creating a
number of regionally significant sports facilities to provide a
lasting Legacy. These facilities will benefit clubs and families to
hopefully become the next generation of Olympians.”
Chair of the Cheshire and Warrington 2012 Steering Group, Chris
Brown, added:
"The hosting of The Games in London creates opportunities that may
not come around again for a generation. It’s up to all stakeholders
to work together to ensure that we’re in the best position to
identify and seize the opportunities that can specifically benefit
the Cheshire-Warrington sub region.”
-Ends-
Editors Notes
- The Northwest Steering Group has been established to develop
and implement plans to ensure that the region fully plays its part
in supporting the Games and exploits the many opportunities that
they bring. The NWDA is represented on this Steering Group.
- Seb is a double Olympic Champion and 12-time world record
holder in Athletics. He won gold in the 1500m and silver in the
800m at both the Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984 Games. In 2002 he
was made a Peer – Lord Coe of Ranmore. He received a knighthood in
the 2006 New Year's Honours List.
-Chris Newton recently participated in the Tour of Britain.
- Sir Philip Craven MBE represented Britain five times at
wheelchair basketball at the Paralympic Games from 1972 to 1988. He
also competed in swimming at the 1972 Games.
- Preston Sports Arena is an official pre-games training camp
for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
For more information see www.nwbeinspired.com and
www.london2012.com
For further information please contact Sam Shale, Press Officer
on 01925 400264 or 07717 427872 or sam.shale@nwda.co.uk
For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925
400259.
For further information and to view all press releases visit us
at www.nwda.co.uk/press
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the
economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is
responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging
investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and
communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life