Olympic delegations from China, Turkey and Slovenia have visited Leeds in recent weeks as they look over potential training bases ahead of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Representatives from the Chinese Olympic Committee visited Leeds and Sheffield at the end of last month to tour facilities their leading athletes may use in the run-up to London 2012 should they choose Yorkshire as a training base.
The visiting party included Secretary General of the China Athletics Association Mr Zhaocai Du and National Team Head Coach and Vice President of the China Athletics Association Mr Shuyoung Feng.
In Leeds the group were given a tour of the facilities at the John Charles Centre for Sport and Leeds Metropolitan University, as well as visiting Roundhay Park which could be used for race walking training.
During their visit the Chinese were able to meet World Triathlon Champion Alistair Brownlee and UK Race Walking Champion Jo Jackson who are both based in Leeds.
Apart from the sporting and sports science facilities, the group were also shown the possible accommodation their athletes could use and were also guests of honour at a special civic reception hosted by the Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Judith Elliott in Civic Hall.
The visit follows similar trips to the region by Olympic representatives from Turkey and Slovenia in April.
Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Judith Elliott said:
“The visit by the Chinese 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 our team continuing discussions with them as well as our other recent visitors from Turkey and Slovenia as they develop their pre- Games preparation plans for London 2012.”
Leeds and Sheffield have already secured an agreement with Serbia for their athletes to use the region as their training base ahead of London 2012, while the Dutch swimming team will be based at the Aquatics Centre at the John Charles Centre for Sport in Leeds.
Leeds and Sheffield and 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.
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 £1million for the region’s economy.
For further information on Leeds’ Olympic project go to www.leedsgold.co.uk, or to see how the Yorkshire region is gearing up to London 2012 visit www.yorkshire-gold.com.