Olympic hopefuls get helping hand (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Olympic hopefuls get helping hand

COTSWOLD Olympic hopefuls are to be helped on their way to medal glory in the run up to the 2012 games.

The country celebrated last week as London was awarded the prestigious sporting event.

And, in a bid to help the cream of young local talent on the road to success, selected athletes will be offered free membership at the new Cotswold Leisure Centre, which is due to open in Cirencester next year.

Claire McGine, spokesman for Cotswold District Council, which owns the centre, said: "We thought it would be a really nice idea to help local people who are competing to a good level.

"We do a lot of sports development work with young people anyway and are aware there are a handful in the area who are hopeful of reaching the Olympics."

The new leisure centre, which is being built next to the existing facility off Old Tetbury Road, is due to open early next year.

CDC is confident it will provide the ideal training base for tomorrow's athletic stars.

Meanwhile, news that London has been awarded the games, is set to provide a major boost for the Cotswolds as a whole.

Tourism chiefs are confident there will be spin-offs for the district and will look at new ways of attracting sports fans to the area in the hope they will extend their holidays around the games.

Mrs McGine added: "The Cotswolds is obviously a major tourist destination for people around the world already.

"Although we expect most people will want to come and see the Olympics and stay in London, there should be a knock-on effect.

"It's easy to get from the capital to the Cotswolds and potentially it could be a boost for the area.

"There's a long way to go and I'm sure we'll be looking to maximise on the potential of lots of visitors coming to the country."