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South East will benefit from London 2012 according to
Olympic Double Gold Medallist James Cracknell
21st June 2005
 If London secures the bid to host the Olympics in 2012 then people and businesses in the South East could benefit from new jobs, a big boost for tourism, and a sporting legacy that will last a generation, according to double Olympic Gold medallist James Cracknell OBE.
He spoke to delegates from across the South East who gathered at the "Going for Gold" event at Bisham Abbey - the National Sports Centre - on 13 June 2005 to discuss how to make the most out of the Olympics and other major sporting events in the region.
"It's up to every industry that can benefit from the Games to make the most of the build-up over the next seven years," said James Cracknell. "It's a chance for us to try to attract athletes as they come here to acclimatise. We need to provide them with training facilities around the country in the build-up. If the Games come here it's up to the tourist industry to use them properly. When people visit you've got to make them want to come back and explore other parts of the country."
South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) Chairman Jim Brathwaite CBE, agreed: "The Sydney Olympic Games created an increase in conference bookings in the four years before the Games and in the total economy of New South Wales, the region surrounding Sydney, just as the South East surrounds London. In fact the Games proved so beneficial that approximately £400 million is directly attributed to have come into the New South Wales economy because of the Games. And the benefits continue to accrue to Sydney and New South Wales five years after the Olympic caravan has moved on."
SEEDA, Sport England South East, Culture South East and Tourism South East have recognised the potential benefits for the region from sports events like the Olympics. But there are already many other international, national and regional sporting events within the South East that bring money, tourists and community improvements to the region. By working more strategically the agencies believe the region could benefit further, and possibly attract additional sporting events.
"The South East already benefits from major sporting events such as the Races at Newbury and Sandown, world class rowing at Eton, canoeing in Reading, Cowes Week in the Isle of Wight, the Henley Royal Regatta, and Ladies Tennis at Eastbourne to name but a few. A successfully managed sporting event helps to boost a local area," said the Chair of the Regional Sports Board South East, Mary McAnally. She added, "Spectators are more than part of the crowd, they are potential customers and tourists. They help to spread the word about the welcome they have received in an area. By working together we want to make the most of the opportunities offered by these and other events."
The agencies behind the new strategy have appointed Lindsey Horton as a major events strategy manager to take the idea forward within the South East.
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