News, March 2011

Olympic Time Trial Race to be in Surrey
Further to the recent announcement that the Olympic Cycling Road Race event will be in Surrey, another cycling event will also take place within Surrey's boarders. The Time Trial Cycling Race has been announced to be in Elmbridge. This will be another great opportunity to welcome the world to Surrey!

P&G Surrey School Games officially launched
Celebrations were in order on Tuesday 15 March as the first P&G Surrey School Games was officially launched at a prestigious opening ceremony at the Surrey Sports Park in Guildford. Featured at the event were special guest appearances from Olympic Silver medallist Gail Emms MBE and Paralympic Bronze medallist Vicki Hansford. The P&G Surrey School Games will see a number of children and young people across the county competing in Olympic/Paralympic style events for the next four months.

Q&A with Surrey athletes: Vicki Hansford
In the March edition of our regular 'Q&A with Surrey athletes' section, we have provided an in-depth, two-part interview with Paralympic Bronze medallist Vicki Hansford. Here Vicki provides an insight into the highs and lows of competing at a professional level.

• Part one
  Vicki informs us of her return to sport after overcoming cancer through a leg amputation at the age of 22. Vicki also describes her experience at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing and rigorous training involved in the build up.
  
  
• Part two
  Here Vicki speaks of why it is important to get children involved in sport and why she supports the P&G Surrey School Games.

Pre-Games Training Camps update
The Go Surrey Pre Games Training Camp programme continues apace. We are currently in close contact with around ten nations and teams to secure their signature and promoting Surrey to numerous others, including Cycling teams. The programme continues to develop all the time and the Surrey offer is becoming stronger and stronger. We look forward to sharing more good news with our partners in the coming months.

Free Business Information Events
In March 2011 Go Surrey will be hosting three free Business Information Events. These events will advise local business on how to get the most out of increased tourism to the area as a result of the Games. The events will also provide information on how to obtain London 2012 contracts and on how the Games can benefit your organisation. These events are still available in Elmbridge, Woking and Dorking, book now.

Free volunteering workshop
On 19 March 2011, volunteer centres across the county will come together to stage a free volunteering workshop. This will take place at the Surrey Sports Park in Guildford and will feature advice on how your organisation can create 2012 related volunteering roles.

Follow your local Surrey athletes
From the thrill of Track Athletics to the elegance of Synchronised Swimming, Surrey has a large number of 2012 hopefuls who are set to impress the world with their sporting abilities. Here we have listed profiles of athletes from your area, find out about their past achievements and how you can follow them in the run up to the 2012 Olympic/Paralympic Games.

P&G Surrey School Games to get children into Olympic spirit
School children from across the county are gearing up to get a taste of Olympic victory with the P&G Surrey School Games. An Olympic-style launch event will mark the start of the Games in Surrey on 15 March. This event will run for 100 days, involving over 3,000 children competing in over 30 events.