South West beckoning Olympics squads of 2012

SPORTING venues across the region were being promoted to an international audience at the Beijing Olympics today.

The London 2012 Pre-Games Training Camp Guide, which was being launched today in the Chinese capital, showcases 60 venues from across the South West and hundreds more from around UK.

Exeter University will feature in the online guide, which aims to persuade international teams to base themselves in the South West during the run up to the London Games.

Olympic competitors will be invited to use university sports areas, which include athletics, badminton, basketball, road cycling, fencing, hockey, judo, table tennis and indoor volleyball.

Bicton College, near Exmouth, is offering its equestrian centre together with Bicton Arena.

Guy Lavender, South West England director for the 2012 Games, said: "Team South West is determined to ensure our training venues are top of the list to be considered by international teams looking for a pre-Games training camp during the run up to the 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games.

"We have superb venues across the region, both for major international teams, as well as some of the smaller nations, and Beijing provides a chance to speak directly to those teams.

"We are working closely with the 60 venues, local authorities and private sector partners to bring as many teams as possible into the region."

Ged Roddy, representative for South West England on the London Organising Committee's Nations and Regions Group, said: "This is an important step towards ensuring the eyes of the world see the best the South West has to offer."