Daventry set to welcome Olympic athletes

A high-profile training camp for medal hopefuls heading to the London Olympics in 2012 is set to give a boost to Daventry district’s sport credentials.

Daventry District Council has welcomed the news that Moulton College, in Moulton has been assessed and approved as a suitable venue for international equestrian and fencing entrants to the games.

The centre will now feature in a guide to be circulated to all National Olympic Committees and National Paralymic Committees for them to decide if they want their athletes to use Moulton to acclimatise and put the finishing touches to their training as the start of the games approaches in four years’ time.

The guide, which will also be available online, will be published at this summer’s Beijing Olympics.

Cllr Wendy Amos, Community Portfolio Holder with Daventry District Council, said: “It is fantastic news that the facilities and expertise at Moulton College have been recognised at the highest level and we offer our sincere congratulations to them.

“Equestrian and fencing competitors from all over the world will be told about the high quality of the provision for them in the Daventry district.

“It could also lead to a significant boost to the local economy as teams from other countries set up camp here for final preparations before the 2012 games.

“We are looking forward to welcoming the visitors and showing them what else Daventry district has to offer.”

A total of 26 East Midlands venues are listed in the Pre-Games Training Camp Guide.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is able to offer a financial award of up to £25,000 to other country’s Olympic committees to encourage teams to base themselves in the UK.