South Africa has chosen South London to host their Pre Games Training camps for the London 2012 Olympic Games. South African athletes planning to compete in the 2012 Olympic Games will be based at St Mary’s University College and the Lensbury Hotel & Club and will also use a number of top quality club venues in the area.

 

South African Sport Commission and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) President Gideon Sam said:

“In line with all our planning for the 2012 Games and the run-in to London it’s absolutely critical that we quickly identify the areas where we are going to train so in this regard we are delighted to announce St Mary’s and the Lensbury Hotel & Club as our choice of venue. It’s important that we get the support structures in place and also build and maintain sporting relationships in England that will benefit our athletes both pre and post 2012.”

 

Professor Dick Fisher, head of St Mary’s 2012 Preparations, said:

“We felt that St Mary’s strengths as a high performance centre and the Lensbury’s excellent accommodation backed up by internationally recognised clubs in South London was an attractive offer. We are absolutely delighted that South African chose us to be apart of their Road to 2012 programme and collaboration beyond that.”

 

Lacy Curtis-Ward, Chief Executive of Lensbury, said:

“We are delighted and proud to welcome the South African team over the next three years to the Lensbury. Our sporting history alongside our accommodation, meeting and leisure facilities makes us a natural partner for the South African team and St Mary’s University College.”

 

Linda Taylor OBE, Chair of the Go south Go Task Force, said:

“We formed Go South Go to co-ordinate South London’s programme for 2012 and to have been chosen by such a prestigious and high profile team as South Africa to host its Pre Games Training Camps has given a great boost to everybody. We are sure that South London will really get behind South Africa in 2012.”