Olympics boost for Brands

10:46am Thursday 6th March 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

BRANDS Hatch has been named as a pre-Olympics training camp for international road cycling teams.

The Kent race circuit will be named in a guide to be distributed to teams during the Beijing games this summer, giving athletes the option to train in the south east ahead of the 2012 competition.

It follows detailed assessments by the county council and efforts by the authority to make sure each site meets the strict international standard criteria.

Brands Hatch chief executive Jonathan Palmer is looking forward to hearing which nation or nations the circuit will host: He said: "This is a big deal for Brands Hatch. Our facilities are world-class and we are used to looking after teams from all over the globe.

"We would be proud to be a part of this historic event for the country and we hope to experience the flavour of the Olympics in the weeks leading up to the London Games.

"Hosting an Olympic team would also be great news for businesses close to the circuit with the teams requiring hotels and other services."

It is not the first time Brands Hatch has hosted international cyclists.

Mr Palmer said: "We have recently catered for athletes from the Tour de France as they travelled through Kent.

"Our hospitality team designed a menu which met their strict dietary and nutritional requirements, so we are experienced in looking after professional cyclists needs.

"In the past cycle club meetings have been held here, so the track is perfect to host a road cycling training camp and it is a very challenging course for any rider."

Brands Hatch will consider hosting training camps so long as it does not interfere with its first priority of running a packed motorsport calendar.

Mr Palmer added: "Brands Hatch is a busy race circuit and any other activity we consider must not conflict with our racing season.

"However, we are delighted to be recognised as a quality sporting venue by such a prestigious body as the Olympic committee and we would be delighted to be involved with the 2012 Games."

Brands Hatch will find out later this year whether they will be hosting any overseas teams in the lead up to the 2012 Olympics.