Twenty-four ‘On Camp with Kelly’ athletes today benefited from a fantastic opportunity to visit the Olympic Park in Stratford on Wednesday 8 September.  Lord Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, led a tour of the Olympic Stadium, the venue at which the athletes aspire to compete in two years time.

The ‘On Camp with Kelly’ group was taken on a bus tour of the Olympic Park, taking in venues such as the Velodrome, Athletes’ Village and Aquatics Centre as well as the Stadium tour with Seb Coe. Along with Dame Kelly, he was able to provide a unique insight into competing and winning at an Olympic Games.

Dame Kelly said: “‘On Camp with Kelly’ aims to give young athletes the tools they need to help them achieve in their athletics careers.  The visit to the Olympic Park is a unique opportunity for them to gain an insight into what it will be like to compete here in two years time and ask questions of those responsible for organising the London 2012 Games.  A number of ‘On Camp with Kelly’ athletes will be aiming to compete at the Games, while for others this is a really amazing inspiration to spur them on in their efforts to compete future Championships and the 2016 Olympic Games.  I look forward to being in the stadium to cheer them on.”

The Olympic Stadium will host track and field events during the Games in addition to the opening and closing ceremonies.  It is scheduled to complete next year ready for test events. The roof is finished – meaning two third of spectators will be sheltered – and work is currently underway on the field of play.  Athletes were given access into the inner workings of the stadium on the day and visited some of the 700 rooms and call track beneath the seating stands.

Dani Christmas, who took part in the last ‘On Camp with Kelly’ visit to the Park in May 2006 said: “Seeing the progress of the Olympic Park first hand has been an exciting privilege for all the ‘On Camp with Kelly’ athletes.  From when we visited the site with ‘On Camp with Kelly’ in 2006 before development had started, the venues have taken shape, making it easier to imagine the finished article, something that motivates each and every one of us.”

Rowena Cole added: “Visiting the Olympic Park was so inspiring as you could actually visualise the Games.  I loved looking at the call-up room and where the home straight and finishing line would be.  It gave me extra motivation as I will have this image of the stadium when training.  Also hearing the experiences of Kelly and Seb Coe whilst viewing the stadium gave you a sense of what really happens and brought the image of the 2012 Games to life.”