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Judo Olympic Signing
The Belarus and Ukraine Judo squads agreed this week to base their training camps in Tonbridge, in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics. View Transcript
View Synopsis
NEIL SHEPPARD reports.
Judo in Kent gets an Olympic boost this week. Top athletes from Belarus and Ukraine will be using facilities in Tonbridge for crucial training in the run up to 2012. At a special signing ceremony, the two strong medal hopeful nations signed an agreement with KCC. Mike Hill, KCC Cabinet Member for Communities Services was there to greet them.
MIKE HILL, KCC Cabinet Member for Communities Services: 'You are two very proud nations and very strong judo nations with great medal prospects in 2012. We are thrilled and honored to accommodate your federations to train in Kent.'
In March 2008, Kent was recognised for having the most venues in the country approved as potential Pre Games Training Camps for Olympians and Paralympians for the 2012 Olympics. With this in mind, Kent County Council's Sport, Leisure and Olympics Service has worked hard to encourage and welcome top level international sportspeople to the county in the run-up to the Games.
CHRIS HESPE, Head of Sport, Leisure and Olympics: 'We have thirty two potential pre-camp venues in Kent for the Olympics and a further seven potential training camps for the Paralympics. We have shown our commitment to a number of nations including Ukraine and Belarus of course and they have been sold by the enthusiasm that we have to help them train to ensure they have everything they need to get success at London 2012.'
Careful consideration had to be taken by the teams in choosing a location to train. The facilities the teams chose had to be able to accommodate all their needs and be close enough to London for the Olympics.
ANDREW MOSHANOV, Technical Advisor, British Judo Association: 'It was quite apparent the issues of location to the Olympic village to our arena, which is the ExCel Arena, was taken as a prime consideration. And when they themselves came and looked at Tonbridge schools they were really fascinated with the standard and quality of this place.
Chris Bowles runs the Tonbridge Judo club and is thrilled that the Belarus and Ukraine teams will be using the club as their training camp.
CHRIS BOWLES, Tonbridge Judo Club: 'I don't think people quite realize what an amazing achievement this is. The benefit that will give the children from my club and the performers from my club is absolutely incredible. They are two of the top nations in Judo. In fact they have just come back from the world championships where they secured gold at under 60 kilos. So for our children to be involved at associated with that type of training is a massive benefit.'
Tonbridge School has also been selected to house the two teams in its dorms and provide the use of its sports facilities.
MARK ORGAN, Tonbridge School: 'It's a great opportunity for us all and we are working hard with Kent and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council to make sure that the facilities we can offer are both integrated and first class and provide them with a stress-free environment to continue their preparations for a good Olympics which we are all hoping for.'
It is hoped that the children of the Judo Club and Tonbridge School will get the opportunity to see and interact with the teams and learn from their expertise.
CHRIS BOWLES: 'The Olympic Teams are not kept away from people. It's not all behind closed doors and they are kept away. That's certainly far from the case. The opportunity for children to train with these guys will definitely be there.'
The teams have a long training schedule ahead of them but they are looking forward to getting to know the local community and hope to learn more about the British way of life.
ANDREW MOSHANOV: 'All the team is very much looking forward to learning about the local culture and just look around. Visit some places and get to know the real English culture.'
Judo in Kent gets an Olympic boost this week. Top athletes from Belarus and Ukraine will be using facilities in Tonbridge for crucial training in the run up to 2012. At a special signing ceremony, the two strong medal hopeful nations signed an agreement with KCC. Mike Hill, KCC Cabinet Member for Communities Services was there to greet them.
MIKE HILL, KCC Cabinet Member for Communities Services: 'You are two very proud nations and very strong judo nations with great medal prospects in 2012. We are thrilled and honored to accommodate your federations to train in Kent.'
In March 2008, Kent was recognised for having the most venues in the country approved as potential Pre Games Training Camps for Olympians and Paralympians for the 2012 Olympics. With this in mind, Kent County Council's Sport, Leisure and Olympics Service has worked hard to encourage and welcome top level international sportspeople to the county in the run-up to the Games.
CHRIS HESPE, Head of Sport, Leisure and Olympics: 'We have thirty two potential pre-camp venues in Kent for the Olympics and a further seven potential training camps for the Paralympics. We have shown our commitment to a number of nations including Ukraine and Belarus of course and they have been sold by the enthusiasm that we have to help them train to ensure they have everything they need to get success at London 2012.'
Careful consideration had to be taken by the teams in choosing a location to train. The facilities the teams chose had to be able to accommodate all their needs and be close enough to London for the Olympics.
ANDREW MOSHANOV, Technical Advisor, British Judo Association: 'It was quite apparent the issues of location to the Olympic village to our arena, which is the ExCel Arena, was taken as a prime consideration. And when they themselves came and looked at Tonbridge schools they were really fascinated with the standard and quality of this place.
Chris Bowles runs the Tonbridge Judo club and is thrilled that the Belarus and Ukraine teams will be using the club as their training camp.
CHRIS BOWLES, Tonbridge Judo Club: 'I don't think people quite realize what an amazing achievement this is. The benefit that will give the children from my club and the performers from my club is absolutely incredible. They are two of the top nations in Judo. In fact they have just come back from the world championships where they secured gold at under 60 kilos. So for our children to be involved at associated with that type of training is a massive benefit.'
Tonbridge School has also been selected to house the two teams in its dorms and provide the use of its sports facilities.
MARK ORGAN, Tonbridge School: 'It's a great opportunity for us all and we are working hard with Kent and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council to make sure that the facilities we can offer are both integrated and first class and provide them with a stress-free environment to continue their preparations for a good Olympics which we are all hoping for.'
It is hoped that the children of the Judo Club and Tonbridge School will get the opportunity to see and interact with the teams and learn from their expertise.
CHRIS BOWLES: 'The Olympic Teams are not kept away from people. It's not all behind closed doors and they are kept away. That's certainly far from the case. The opportunity for children to train with these guys will definitely be there.'
The teams have a long training schedule ahead of them but they are looking forward to getting to know the local community and hope to learn more about the British way of life.
ANDREW MOSHANOV: 'All the team is very much looking forward to learning about the local culture and just look around. Visit some places and get to know the real English culture.'
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