London gears up to host the 2012 Olympic Games
by Myrrh Walker, RYA 6 Jul 2005 14:03 BST
Celebration at the Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy after London wins the 2012 Olympics © Steve Bell /
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RYA & Team GBR celebrate
The RYA and the British Olympic and Paralympic Sailing teams are celebrating after the IOC announced that London has been selected to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. As the most successful sailing nation in Olympic history, the British Olympic sailing team has won more gold medals than any other country and are thrilled that the 2012 Olympic Games will be held on home waters.
Chief Executive of the RYA, Rod Carr, OBE, commented, "This is wonderful news for sport, London and the Weymouth area. Great Britain has some of the keenest sports fans in the world and the opportunity and excitement that hosting the Games in London and Weymouth will bring to the country will be amazing. The RYA is confident that together with the Games organisers and local organisations, we can lay on a truly memorable Olympic Regatta, in one of the best sailing venues in the world."
John Derbyshire, Racing Manager and Performance director said “This will be a teriffic opportunity for our race officials, World Class sailors and especially for the future generation of young British sailors! Hosting the 2012 Olympic Games will be the chance of a lifetime and it will boost interest at all levels of the sport. Team GBR will be looking to maximise its medal chances and extend the current outstanding success of our Sailing team. With the Weymouth Portland National Sailing Academy already established as a top training and events centre, Team GBR will be able to attack a the 2008 Olympics in China and be building for 2012 as well! I'm delighted that the hard work and commitment of the 2012 team as well as those within Dorset, Weymouth and Portland, have seen their efforts rewarded so positively - now we can really get things going!”
Double Olympic Gold Medallist Ben Ainslie was enthusiastic about the final decision. “It is fantastic news that London will host the 2012 Games! This will be a huge opportunity for London to show they can host such an important event. It will be great to have the games on home ground. Because my family, friends and all the Olympic fans can enjoy the games here it will really add to an already special event.”