Bournemouth urged to capitalise on Olympic spirit (From Western Telegraph)

Bournemouth urged to capitalise on Olympic spirit

11:00am Monday 13th August 2012 in London Olympics 2012 - Latest News

Minister Bob Neil, right, visits the Sports Arena at Weymouth. He is pictured with Richard Lowe and his son AJ, aged eight, and Martin Kimberley

BOURNEMOUTH is being urged to create its own sporting legacy for future generations.

A sports arena on Weymouth beach, which has enabled youngsters to have a go at a variety of different sports, has been hugely successful and been praised by the Government as a great example of how to create an Olympics legacy.

And now Bournemouth is being urged to cash in on the Olympics feel-good factor too.

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood said: “The Olympics has woken us up, it’s not just united the country behind a terrific Games but we have also recognised that with a little bit of effort we can win medals and enjoy sport in a way that we have not done before.

“In order to leverage this legacy it requires every community to get its thinking cap on and think about how it can maximise this tremendous spirit.

“There’s an energy now from every three-year-old upwards who has been touched by the magic of the Olympics but that will wane so we need to harness it immediately.

“Bournemouth is prime real estate, whether it be for aquatics or other sports to take place. We are blessed with wonderful beaches where activities can take place and indeed, sports facilities.

“The governing bodies of all sports will be looking at locations to set up new sporting facilities. It would be great if Bournemouth can say it’s open for business and receptive to ideas from those governing bodies.”

And current Mayor of Bournemouth Philip Stanley-Watts, a keen athlete, said: “I’ve always felt that there needs to be an Olympic legacy in Bournemouth. With the rise in obesity in this country, there is a definite need to have a sporting legacy that encourages young people to try all different sports.

“There is a need to do something in Bournemouth and I shall be pushing for this.”

Chris Saunders, seafront business development manager, said: “We already provide a number of fantastic sporting activities for people of all ages and abilities to try out in Bournemouth.

“At Boscombe beach we offer sessions where the public can have a go at sports including open water swimming, rowing and volleyball.

“I would fully support any initiative that helps to encourage more people to come and try out a new sports activity.”