Leeds and Sheffield work in partnership to attract international athletes to the region in lead up to London 2012
May 2010
Representatives from the Chinese Olympic Committee have visited Yorkshire to assess the possibility of the region being a potential location for its athletes to train in the lead up to London 2012.
The tour, which took place in April, looked at locations in both Leeds and Sheffield. The delegation included Mr Zhaocai Du, Secretary General of the China Athletics Association and member of the Chinese Olympic Committee, as well as Mr Shuyoung Feng, National Team Head Coach and Vice President of the China Athletics Association. They met representatives from both Leeds and Sheffield City Councils.
During the visit, the group toured Leeds Metropolitan University and John Charles Centre for Sport in Leeds, as well as Sheffield International Venues managed Don Valley Stadium and the English Institute of Sport - Sheffield. They also spent time assessing other services they would need such as accommodation and the sports science support which could be provided by both Leeds Metropolitan University and Sheffield Hallam University.
The Chinese visit concludes a busy month for the region, which has also seen similar meetings with representatives from the Turkish and Slovenian Olympic Committees, who also visited both Leeds and Sheffield to assess sports facilities.
Mr Shuyoung Feng, Vice President of China Athletics Association commented during the visit:
“We have visited both Leeds and Sheffield and the facilities are very good. We also met Alistair Brownlee at Leeds Met University and Jessica Ennis who was training at EIS Sheffield and we were able to speak to them both during our visit. We have been impressed so far.”
Gary Clifton, Sheffield City Council’s Major Sports Events and 2012 Programme Manager said:
“Our experience in hosting international sports events has given us the knowledge, experience and infrastructure that is required by Olympic and Paralympic athletes for their pre-games training camps in the lead up to the London 2012 Games. We were delighted to host these international nations, and look forward to working with them to develop opportunities in the lead up to the Games in 2012.”
Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Judith Elliott said:
“The visit by the Chinese, Turkish and Slovenian Olympic officials was very positive. We were delighted to welcome them to our city and their interest reflects the high quality of the sports training facilities, accommodation and ‘lifestyle’ which Leeds can provide. We look forward to continuing discussions with all of these countries as they develop their pre- Games preparation plans for London 2012.”
Sheffield and Leeds City Councils are working in conjunction with Yorkshire Gold, the regional committee for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, to develop opportunities for Yorkshire in the lead up to the Games. Pre-Games Training camps are one of the identified opportunities where the Yorkshire region can benefit from London hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.
The visits and potential to host international teams in the lead up to London 2012 help to focus a spotlight on Yorkshire and the world class sporting infrastructure available in the region.
Yorkshire has already seen a financial benefit from international training camps and similar events held over the last three years, which has generated more than £1 million for the region’s economy. This figure is likely to increase considerably in the lead up to London 2012 and in the long term as a result of closer business and cultural ties being developed.
ENDS
A 'Sunday Feast' and street party for Sheffield food lovers
May 2010
A giant sized 'Sunday Feast' and open-air street party will take place in Sheffield on Sunday 6th June and celebrate a British food tradition, the sublime Sunday roast. The Sunday Feast is being organised by the owners of award winning gastro pub, The Milestone, and will mark the final event of the Sheffield Food Festival 2010.
Ball Street in the Kelham Island area of Sheffield (adjacent to The Milestone), will be closed to traffic on Sunday 6th June, enabling the event organisers to transform the road into a street party celebration, with 140 guests expected to dine out and feast on a traditional Sunday Roast, hosted by The Milestone gastro pub.
Matt Bigland owner of the Milestone said
“We are really looking forward to what promises to be a fantastic event. It is a wonderful opportunity for food lovers to come together and enjoy a delicious feast and a top class Yorkshire Sunday lunch.”
“The day is very much focused on the local community and we hope everyone, including local residents and businesses, will get together and enjoy the friendly and sociable atmosphere we have here at Kelham Island.”
Guest will eat and drink in the open air with tables of 10 being positioned on Ball Street, and in true street party spirit diners will enjoy entertainment and music as well as delicious food and drinks to create a jubilant event.
Organisers are hoping the ‘Sunday Feast’ at will reignite a spirit of old and bring alive the sense of community felt in the thriving Kelham Island area of Sheffield.
Phil Jones, organiser of Sheffield Food Festival said:
“We are delighted this event is happening and it is great to see local communities embrace the Food Festival concept and create events that will bring people together and most of all enjoy some delicious local food.”
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