Kent and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London
Kent's Campaign for the 2012 Games is making sure that
Kent benefits from the London Olympics and Paralympics taking place
on its doorstep. To do this the campaign is working with a range of
partners across key sectors of Sport, Tourism, Arts, Business,
Volunteering, Young People and Transport.
The Campaign is managed and led by Kent County
Council's Sport, Leisure and Olympics Service. In the past
year (2009/10), working with partners, the Kent Campaign for the
2012 Games has:
- Developed our work as one of only five local authorities in the
UK to be recognised as a Beacon
Authority by the Government for its work in achieving legacy
from the London 2012 Games.
- Implemented the refreshed Kent 2012 strategy working across
eight sectors of sport, tourism, business, arts, volunteering,
schools and young people, transport and media to take us up to
December 2011. The Kent 2012 strategy also incorporates delivery of
discrete projects including the Olympic and Paralympic Torch
relays; the London 2012/BBC Live Site in Dover; and Resilience,
Public Safety and Security.
- Provided services to over 800 national level performers from
Kent through the FANS (Free Access for
National Sports People) scheme, providing benefits
including discounts for sports physiotherapy, osteopathy, equipment
and clothing.
- Continued a support programme for 24 elite performers to help
them achieve their Olympic and Paralympic ambitions. Examples of
those supported include:
- James Martin (Judo) - who secured a place on the 2010 GB Junior
squad (U20) and is a member of the England Talent Development
squad.
Keziah Gore (Rhythmic Gymnastics) – who was selected to represent
England at the World Schools’ Championships in Qatar.
- Nicholas Boylan (Swimming) – member of the 4x100m Medley Relay
team who became INAS-FID World Record Holders, Global Games
Champions and World Champions.
- Thomas Bosworth (Race Walking) - UKA/RWA 20km Senior Men’s
National Race Walking Champion.
- Promoted the 39 approved London Organising Committee of the
Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) Pre-Games training camp
venues to international teams, with five countries indicating
interest in training in Kent. International squads from countries
including China, USA, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Slovenia, Latvia,
Saudi Arabia, Hungary, Netherlands and the Ukraine trained in a
number of sports across the County.
- Achieved the highest number of companies published in the South
East with ‘CompeteFor’,
London 2012’s business ‘dating agency’ matching companies to
opportunities. So far 53 businesses in Kent have been awarded
direct contracts with the Olympic Delivery Authority. Many more
contracts were won within supply chains.
- Received six Cultural, one Educational and one Volunteering
Inspire Mark – London 2012’s ‘quality mark’ for exceptional
projects.
- Delivered phase two of
Pass the Passion – an Olympic Torch Relay between 52
schools in East Kent as well as the design and creation of a
Schools’ Torch mural. Over 10,500 local children were
involved.
- Achieved the highest number of registrations in the UK to
London 2012’s national education programme, Get Set.
- Delivered ‘Open Weekend 2009’ which saw over 30 Kent community
arts and sports events celebrating three years to go until the
Games begin.
- Jointly secured between Visit Kent and KCC just over £900,000
of Interreg funding for 2012-inspired activities in the
County.
- Managed the 2012 Small Grants Fund, which has provided £5,000
worth of community funding in 2009-2010.
- Secured £350,000 of Communities and Local Government (CLG)
funding to continue our Beacon work with three other
authorities.
- More information about Kent County Council’s London 2012 work
can be found on the Kent Sport London 2012
campaign website