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Peterborough businesses line up for Olympics action
PETERBOROUGH firms are going for gold in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics as they compete for a piece of sporting history.
Businesses and sporting associations across the city are busily preparing for the marathon build-up to the greatest show on earth, which was exactly two years away yesterday.
Multifab Engineering Limited in Boongate, who deal in stainless steel, steel and aluminium manufacturing, has secured two contracts based in and around the Olympic park.
The first is to assist the regeneration work in Hackney and the second deal is to create a steel structure to form part of a new waste treatment site, which is being developed to handle the expected increase in waste produced as a result of the Games.
The company, who has also submitted other tenders, is hopeful of clinching even more work in the Olympic village.
Company director Franc D’Agnano said: “It’s great to be involved in the Olympics at this early stage and we shall be looking to build on this promising start.”
Travel giant, Thomas Cook, whose headquarters are in Coningsby Road, Bretton, are playing a huge role in marketing the Olympics to tourists.
As an official 2012 sponsor, the company will provide a range of short-break packages including accommodation, transport and tickets for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Thomas Cook’s chief executive officer Manny Fontenla-Novoa said: “It is a privilege to have the chance to give British families and sports fans the opportunity to experience such a rare and special event in their own country.
“As a company we are incredibly proud that Thomas Cook will be a leading brand in this most prestigious global event.”
Supply Peterborough, funded by urban regeneration company Opportunity Peterborough, is determined in its efforts to help local businesses get contracts and benefit from the Games.
The scheme offers practical support to private and voluntary organisations by running workshops in marketing to the public sector, pre-qualifying for contracts and bid writing.
It also focuses on encouraging organisations to maximise their profile on the CompeteFor website - the online portal where businesses compete for contract opportunities for the 2012 Games.
Sporting associations in the city are also pulling out all the stops to prepare for 2012.
The Grange Farm Equestrian Centre near Wittering has recently been approved as an official Pre-Games Training Camp.
The London 2012 Organising Committee is required to provide a Pre-Games Training Camp Guide to assist National Olympic Committees and National Paralympic Committees to identify facilities and sites suitable for their teams.
Run by Robin Dunlop, the centre has been selected along with four others in Cambridgeshire.
Sawtry’s paralympic swimming sensation Lauren Steadman is now under a strict training regime in the run up to 2012.
Lauren (17), who swam in the Beijing Paralympics, will compete at the National Championships in Sunderland on August 18 to qualify for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October.
Her coach Ben Negus said: “If Lauren made it to 2012 it would be fantastic.”
Medal winner Louis Smith tours Olympic stadium
GYMNASTIC legend Louis Smith could hardly believe his eyes as he toured the Olympic stadium.
The 21-year-old athlete from Eye near Peterborough said the occasion, on Tuesday, was overwhelming and just brought home how close the 2012 Olympics really are.
He said: “Being inside the stadium made everything seem so real.
“Competing in Beijing was unbelievable but this is going to be a hundred times better.
“The atmosphere there was just amazing. For me, I’ve spent so much time talking about it and training in the gym where you don’t really think about the event itself.
“When you actually see everything taking shape, it’s unbelievable.”
When asked how he was preparing for London 2012 Louis said: “I train hard six days a week and have Saturdays off.”
Louis said he tries to relax as much as possible in his rest time, spending time with friends and family before hitting the gym again on Sunday.
His passion for the Olympics that are being held in London was evident as he urged people in Peterborough to get behind him, other city athletes and the games in general.
He said: ”I really think people should try to get involved as much as possible in the Olympics.
“They’re looking for people to be the faces of the games and people can volunteer and take part in so many ways. I think they should be pro-active in supporting the athletes of the future.”
Louis, who won a bronze medal on the pommel horse in the finals in Beijing in 2008, was the first British man to win a medal in individual gymnastics since Walter Tysall won a silver medal in 1908.
He said: “The 2012 Olympics is exactly what this country needs. There’s so much negativity in the UK at the moment so much depression about politics and lack of money.
“Whatever happens with team GB, these games will provide a lasting legacy for the whole country and people should remember that.”
FACTFILE on... London 2012
LONDON’S bid to host the 2012 Olympics was started by a campaign in the Daily Telegraph in 2002.
The 2012 Olympic Games will be held in London from July 28 to August 12.
It will then be followed by the 2012 Paralympic Games from August 29 to September 9.
The cost of hosting the Games has risen from ÂŁ3 billion to an estimated ÂŁ9.4 billion.
The Olympic Flame will be lit in London on July 28 two years from now.
Team GB will be competing in kits designed by fashion designer Stella McCartney.
Extra Docklands Light Railway rolling stock will transport the majority of London-based fans to the gates of the new 80,000-seat Olympic stadium where they can watch the competitors take to the stage.
It is hoped that the Javelin train will transport foreign visitors from St Pancras Station in London city centre to Stratford International Station in precisely seven minutes.
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