London 2012: Seb Coe praises contribution of universities to Olympics

Sarah Shaffi, Olympics editor (news) Monday, April 30, 2012
11:03 AM

Universities have been essential to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, according to Games’ chief Seb Coe.

The contribution of higher education establishments in the UK to the Olympic and Paralympic Games is being celebrated this week during Universities Week 2012, which started today.

The week is being backed by Lord Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

He said: “I am delighted to be supporting Universities Week 2012 which is celebrating the Higher Education sector’s engagement with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Universities have been essential to London 2012; through the provision of expertise, facilities, volunteers and many of Team GB and ParalympicsGB’s potential medal hopefuls.”

Britain’s universities have been involved in London 2012 in a number of ways. Greenwich University and Royal Holloway will both serve as Games-time venues in London with Strathclyde, Warwick, Newcastle and Cardiff Universities all providing training facilities for the football tournament.

More than 70 training camp deals have been signed with Higher Education institutions including Team GB at Loughborough University and Paralympics GB at the University of Bath.

The role colleges and universities have played in delivering the London 2012 Games will be celebrated at the Podium Awards on Thursday night.

Universities Week will culminate in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Outdoor Athletics Championships in the Olympic Stadium.

David Willetts, universities and science minister, said: “Universities have been quick off the mark to make a significant contribution to London 2012 and it is testament to their quality and reputation both at home and abroad. Universities Week allows us to celebrate the successful track record of our institutions and gives them a deserving spot on the podium.”

The first of two reports this week recognising the contribution of higher education to London 2012 has been released today. Olympic and Paralympic Games: The impact of universities looks at universities, the Olympic Games and sport.