Edge Hill Prepares Olympic Training Camp Bid

Edge Hill University is to submit an application for selection as a Pre-Games Training Camp for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

In the weeks and months leading up to the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, athletes from around the world will be training and preparing for the competition. The University's high quality sports environment and excellent support facilities provide an ideal base for one of the many 'Pre-Games Training Camps' to be set up in the UK.

Paul Greenwood, Manager of Edge Hill?s Sporting Edge complex is confident that it can meet the challenges of hosting an Olympic team at the Ormskirk Campus:

"Some countries choose to set up UK bases where their teams can train immediately prior to the Games and in some cases up to three years beforehand, rather than developing training camps in their own countries. We are hoping that Edge Hill will be one of these camps and are making the finishing touches to our bid which must be submitted by January 31st."

Applications are initially assessed locally for the North West region with the London 2012 Organising Committee carrying out final selection by January 2008. Pre-Games Training Camps Guide will be distributed to National Olympic Committees and National Paralympics Committees in July 2008.

With previous experience of hosting international teams such as Great Britain and New Zealand Rugby League squads, and Premiership football and rugby teams, Edge Hill is confident that it will meet the strict selection criteria.

"Here at Edge Hill we have a variety of top class facilities and expertise in medical and sports science which could cater for a number of different Olympic and Paralympic sports," added Paul Greenwood. "If successful, Edge Hill may be host to one or more Olympic teams. It would great to see the Olympic flame burning brightly over Ormskirk."