Hereford's Olympic Bid

The Royal National College for the Blind, in Hereford’s College Road, maybe used as an Olympic venue for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The College plans to develop a new multi-million Sport and Complementary Therapy Centre with on-site accommodation where teams can be accommodated and events staged.

If funds can be raised and planning permission granted, work on the new buildings could be completed by 2008. Work will go ahead even if the UK loses out on hosting the Games. 

Leader of Herefordshire Council, Councillor Roger Phillips, has added his name to a star studied list of celebrities who are backing the bid.

The International Olympic Committee is due to announce the winner of the 2012 bid at a glitzy ceremony bash in Singapore, on July 6.

It is thought to be a two horse race between Paris and London although New York, Madrid and Moscow are also in the running.

Tony Blair, David Beckham and Sven Goran Erickson will join up with London’s Olympic bid team, which will fly out to Singapore in the next few days for some last minute lobbying in a bid to secure vital votes.
 
A spokesperson for the London 2012 bid said: “The London 2012 team is aware of Hereford's Royal National College for the Blind as an institute of sporting excellence.

“The team is also aware of its interest to host events and accommodate teams as part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games if the 2012 London bid is successful.

"Clearly there is still a lot of work to be done before details of this nature are confirmed but the Royal National College for the Blind continues to enhance its reputation among the London 2012 team, and, in doing so, is improving its chances of success should London host the 2012 Games."

Tony Larkin, Head of Sport and Leisure at the RNCB, said: “The College has already staged some major events including the European International Tournament for blind football in 2003.

“Our intention is to enhance that reputation further by pressing ahead with what is a very ambitious and exciting project to build a new Sports and Complementary Therapy Centre.

“The college, and indeed the county, would have an opportunity to raise its profile across the world should it be selected to stage any part of the London 2012 Games.

“It would be a big lift to Herefordshire if the London 2012 bid was successful and the college did stage events as part of the Games,” Councillor Phillips added.

“The capital would directly benefit from the Games as too would other parts of the country such as Herefordshire.

“Whatever the outcome we can be sure that the London 2012 bid is very impressive and professional and we are very pleased to register our support.

“I would like to take this opportunity to wish the London party the very best of luck.”