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Olympics Minister praises University sports set-up

Posted on 06/03/2009

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Olympics Minister praises University sports set-up

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell visited Loughborough University yesterday (Thursday 5 March) to see the work being carried out to support Britain’s athletes and sports governing bodies and the efforts to attract a major international team in the run up to the London Olympics.

Ms Jowell visited the University’s world class sports facilities, state-of-the-art sports science laboratories and internationally renowned Sports Technology Institute, before meeting with a group of 2012 hopefuls and their coaches.

Loughborough University Vice Chancellor Professor Shirley Pearce was able to outline the developments taking place on campus to help support national sporting governing bodies and their athletes, and highlight the work being undertaken to attract a major international team to Loughborough ahead of the London Olympics.

“The University is working very closely with a range of national governing bodies and sports organisations including UK Sport, Sport England and the English Institute of Sport to provide a world class support system to our athletes to ensure they have the best chance of success in 2012,” said Professor Pearce.

“We are also working with emda and facilities in the region to develop a training package to attract a top overseas team to base themselves here in the run-up to the Games.

“It was good to be able to show the Olympics Minister the wide range of expertise we have here and to help her understand our vision and our unique offer across sports science, engineering and performance.”

Ms Jowell added: “Loughborough University is one of the world’s best sporting facilities providing innovative and cutting edge training and expertise for some of the world’s best athletes.

“As a potential pre-Games training camp for countries preparing for the Games, the University and the town will be able to experience the spirit of the Olympics and Paralympics on their doorsteps giving local people and students the chance to share in the magic of 2012 while also benefiting from the business and sporting opportunities it will create.”