News, September 2011

Caribbean-style weather delights Olympic hopefuls
Dominican Olympic hopefuls began their training in Surrey last week, describing the unseasonable warmth as "just like it is" on the Caribbean island. The Dominican athletes are a number of potential Olympic and Paralympic champions who will be using Surrey's excellent training facilities ahead of London 2012.

London-Surrey Cycle Classic - survey
Surrey County Council would like to hear from you, if you have feedback about the London-Surrey Cycle Classic (road cycling test event) on 14 August 2011. If you were in Surrey on 14 August, please help us by completing this quick online survey. It takes up to 10 minutes to complete and will close at midnight Sunday 9 October 2011.The feedback we receive on the test event will assist us in our preparations for the 2012 games events in Surrey.

London 2012 opens Young Games Maker volunteer applications
London 2012 is calling on young volunteers to help make the Games happen next summer. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for 16 to 18 year olds to apply and be part of the greatest show on earth.

London 2012 drama workshop in Tandridge (PDF)
This is an opportunity for students to attend an exciting drama workshop. The workshop will be based on Olympic and Paralympic history and will focus on the values of London 2012. This event is organised by the Theatre Exchange of Tandridge Leisure.

Paralympic medals unveiled
Adding to the buzz of excitement surrounding the Paralympic Games, London 2012 has revealed the design for the Paralympic medals.

Guildford teen becomes a Boat Project crew member
After a difficult selection process of nominated candidates, the Boat Project has announced its crew members for it's maiden voyage next May. One member of the crew is 16-year-old Harry Custance from Guildford. Part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, The Boat Project is created using bits of wood that are personal to members of the public. Find out more.

Paralympic Torch Relay announced
The Paralympic Torch Relay will take place from 24 to 29 August 2012. The Torch Relay features a number of ways you can be involved, from creating Paralympic related arts and crafts, to carrying the flame as a Torch Bearer. Watch this space for details of how you can be involved.

Watch the Bandstand Marathon in Surrey
On Sunday 25 September, the Bandstand Marathon is set to entertain Britain with performances at around 150 bandstands across the country involving over 3,000 musicians. As part of the Cultural Olympiad the project has been awarded the London 2012 Inspire Mark. Find out where you can watch the Bandstand Marathon in Surrey.

Croatian Paralympic team train in Surrey ahead of London 2012
With one year to go until the 2012 Paralympic games, the Croatian Paralympic athletics and swimming teams have been making the most of Surrey's excellent sporting facilities by training in the county.

Pride the Lion retains his Team GB mascot role for London 2012
After his debut as the Team GB mascot at Beijing 2008, Pride the Lion has once again stepped up to the role of supporting his Great Britain teammates to victory at London 2012.

London 2012 launches new range of Team GB and Paralympics GB products
Here is your opportunity to support your Surrey Team GB athletes in style! With one year to go, London 2012 has launched a number of products from clothing to collectables and even cuddly toys of the Team GB mascot, Pride the Lion. Visit the London 2012 online shop to view all products.

Wenlock and Mandeville to feature in The Beano
The London 2012 mascots are to appear in the classic British comic, The Beano. The duo will appear alongside popular children's characters such as Dennis the Menace. Through their appearances in The Beano, Wenlock and Mandeville are set to engage children in the Olympic and Paralympic values. View a sneak preview of their adventures.

Q&A with Surrey athletes. Abigail Edmonds
Surrey has a rich source of talented kayaking athletes. This months featured athlete in our Q&A is no exception. Abigail Edmonds tells us how she began her career in kayaking and how she gave up a place at Oxford University to pursue her ambitions in the sport.

Free London 2012 business event
Find out how to make the most of business opportunities at the latest London 2012 business event to be held in Surrey. You can attend workshops on obtaining Games related contracts, planning and maintaining productivity and how to maximise on the expected tourist impact.

Team Guatemala visits Surrey
The Guatemala National Olympic Committee recently visited Surrey to view the county's excellent training facilities. This visit could potentially see further world-class athletes from a number of sports train in Surrey prior to London 2012.

Be part of the London 2012 Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Do you have what it takes to perform in front of a packed stadium at the greatest show on earth? London 2012 are now recruiting volunteer performers to kick start the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Artistic Directors Danny Boyle and Kim Gavin are looking for around 10,000 volunteer performers to fill roles as dancers, actors, percussionists and general all rounders. Find out how you can be part of it.

Olympic dress rehearsal hailed a success
Residents of London and Surrey received an early taste for the Olympic Games on Sunday 14 August 2011. Tens of thousands of spectators gathered on our roads to cheer on the Olympic cyclists in the London-Surrey Cycle Classic. After winning the green jersey at the 2011 Tour de France, British cycling champion Mark Cavendish finished in first place, thrilling crowds across the county.

Team Singapore arrive in Surrey
With a number of foreign Olympic and Paralympic teams set to arrive in Surrey prior to London 2012, team Singapore has been the first to arrive and use some of the county's excellent training facilities. A number of Singapore's teams from various sports are currently training at the Surrey Sports Park in Guildford and the National Shooting Centre in Bisley in their preparation for London 2012.

Games transport website launched to help spectators plan how they will travel next summer
Spectators for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be able to plan their journeys via a new website launched by London 2012. This website will provide advice on getting to London 2012 venues via train, coach, river or tube from anywhere in the UK.

Opportunity for 16-18 year olds to play an important role in delivering London 2012
LOCOG have announced that around 2,000 positions are available for young people to be Young Games Makers and help to deliver the Olympic and Paralympic games through support roles across a range of sports.

Support your local athletes

• Delight for men’s sitting volleyball team as they receive confirmation of host nation slot
  The men's sitting volleyball team have been awarded automatic qualification for London 2012 as the host nation. This is great news for Surrey athlete Ben Hall and the rest of his teammates as they have been working hard and impressing fans and selection panels in recent competitions.

• David Cameron takes on Surrey wheelchair tennis star
  Celebrating the International Paralympic Day on 8 September 2011, Prime Minister David Cameron teamed up with Josh Steels. Their opponents on the other side of the court were Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Chobham resident John Parfitt. The doubles match was enjoyed by crowds at Trafalgar Square in London.

• Jo Parker victory in Austrian Open qualifiers
  Chertsey born table tennis star Jo Parker will be celebrating over Croatian opponent, Cornelia Molnar.

• European bronze for GB Women’s wheelchair basketball team
  Despite losing in the semi finals against the Netherlands, the GB women's wheelchair basketball team have not come home empty handed. Chobham resident Helen Turner along with the rest of her teammates won bronze at the European Championships in Nazareth, Israel after seeing off France 60-47.

• Lauren Smith retires from competitive synchronised swimming
  Commonwealth bronze medallist Lauren Smith has announced her retirement from synchronised swimming. The Ash Vale resident is disappointed to miss competing at London 2012, but is now focussed on pursuing ambitions away from competing professionally.

• Britain's female sprint canoeists 'stepped up a league' in 2011
  Surrey has a rich source of excellent female canoeists, including Guildford resident and London 2012 hopeful Rachel Cawthorn. Rachel has spoken to the BBC on how she feels Britain's sprint canoeists have improved on previous years.
  
  
• Sophia Warner in the news
  Paralympic hopeful Sophia Warner has featured in a number of news stories recently, some of which you can read below. The Dorking born runner has not only been raising the profile of herself as an athlete, but also her sport where she competes against other athletes with Cerebral Palsy.
• • Sophia Warner: The Unheard Voice Of Paralympic Sport
  • Belinda Carlisle (pictured with Sophia Warner) supports mothers
  • Warner on the right track
  
  
• British title raises Alex Dowsett London 2012 hopes
  After winning the national title with 58 minutes and 26 seconds in the Cycling Time Trial race, Alex Dowset's ambitions to win gold at the Olympic Cycling Time Trial race next year in Surrey and London may become a reality.

• Jenna Randall's London 2012 routine is underway
  After winning two silver medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, then enjoying a successful summer in 2011, the Camberley resident and London 2012 hopeful Jenna Randall informs the BBC on her Synchro Swimming dreams for next year.

• Sophia Warner's Paralympic mission to educate the world on cerebral palsy
  Although more than two-thirds of Paralympians have cerebral palsy, little is known about the condition. Dorking born potential London 2012 medallist, Sophia Warner has set herself the goal of educating the public on Cerebral Palsy. London 2012 will be the first Paralympics Sophia is set to compete in as it's the first time the sport has been introduced to the Games. Find out more.

• Bryant upbeat despite Paris defeat
  A Camberley judo star has refused to give up on her Olympic dreams despite her recent loss at the World Judo Championships. Karina Bryant remains focussed and determined to represent Britain at a fourth Olympic Games after appearing at Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
  

• Andy Triggs Hodge and Pete Reed in fight to fill London 2012 slot
  Molesy Boat Club member Andrew Triggs Hodge and rowing partner Peter Read have begun their bid to qualify for London 2012. The duo, who won gold in Beijing in the Fours event, have their work cut out for them due to not being able to beat New Zealand in the last 13 meetings.

• England Hockey squad blown away by Germany
  England's defence of their men's european hockey title is overdue to a defeat by this years hosts Germany. The semi final loss will now see Surbiton HC's James Tindall, Richard Alexander and Matt Daly along with the rest of their England team mates take on Belgium for the bronze medal.

• England smash past France into the European Hockey Championship semi finals
  England have secured an impressive 8-1 victory at the European Championships in Germany. Surbiton Hockey players James Tindall and Richard Alexander both added their names to the score chart with two goals each.
  
  
• Williams aiming to shine at Judo World Championships
  Camberley Judo star Danny Williams informs Eurosport of his confidence for the up and coming Judo World Championships in Paris. There the 73kg British number one hopes to send rivals a "pre-Olympics" message.
  
  
• Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson setting sail to conquer the world at next year's Games
  Surrey athlete Andrew Simpson and teammate Iain Percy reflect on competing together when they were children. The duo also reflects on recent competitions and look forward to aspirations at London 2012.
  
  
• Watch Sophia Warner compete this summer
  Dorking born Paralympic hopeful Sophia Warner has announced her competition schedule for this summer. Find out where she will be and catch a preview of what you can expect from this runner who is tipped for gold next year.