With just 66 days to go until the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the British Olympic Association (BOA) has successfully delivered its final Team Leader Workshop in Stratford.
The two-day workshop, led by Chef de Mission Andy Hunt, was the first official event to be held at Team GB House, and also included a visit to the Olympic Village on Monday, 21st May. Team GB leaders were the first to visit the London Olympic Village in 2009, and they had the honour of being the final group to tour and inspect the Village prior to the pre-Games lockdown period.
The workshop brought together more than 150 Team GB personnel -- team leaders, medical staff and press officers from all 26 Olympic disciplines -- to review final details for the London 2012 Olympic Games and shift into Games delivery mode.
It was a highly successful and productive workshop which marked the culmination of a four year journey of planning and preparation prior to the Games. With over 100 athletes already selected to Team GB and the Olympic Torch on its way around the UK there is a real sense of excitement as we draw closer to the greatest show on Earth.
Andy Hunt Team GB Chef de Mission said:
“The planning phase for Team GB is well and truly over. We are now Games-ready and fully into our operational mode. The past two days have been particularly important and timely, and it was great that the final team leader workshop took place here at Team GB House, which is central to our Games operations and right on the doorstep of the Olympic Park. The British Olympic Association has made a commitment to work in close partnership with the National Governing Bodies and other stakeholders to make certain this is the best prepared, best supported British Olympic Team in history – and I am fully confident we will deliver on that pledge.”
Dominic Mahoney Modern Pentathlon Team Leader said:
“The last two days have been all about checking the final plans are in order and ensuring everything is in the right place. We want to make sure the Olympic Village is a great environment to live in and that the experience they have during the Games is one which they will always remember. We will all leave this workshop feeling very confident we’ve covered all bases and securing the best possible platform for the Games. The Park, the Olympic Village, GB House, and the kit show how Team GB have really stepped up a level and I am very excited and pleased at this stage.”
Chris Spice Basketball Team Leader said:
“Workshops like this one are really important in making the Games a truly successful one. We have an excellent opportunity to really make something special out of these Games and events like this help us to come together as one team. As the Games get closer we are all starting to feel more united and there is a great camaraderie between all the team leaders here at Team GB. I think Team GB House is an incredibly impressive setup, which is of the highest quality and will inspire everyone who comes here.”
John Anderson Canoeing Team Leader said:
“Everyone here at this workshop is getting more and more excited as we draw nearer to the Games and it is incredibly reassuring to see what has already been done and just how ready we are. I was really impressed when I came to Team GB House for the first time. I think the place is incredible and the people who have put it together have done a really great job. The proximity to the Olympic Village means it will work really well and I think the team leaders, press officers and athletes will all really appreciate it.”
For more information, please contact the BOA Communications Team at +44 (0) 207 842 5700.