Surrey becoming popular for Olympic training

Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara (left) has been spotted training with his mates in Surrey.

Great Britain’s cycling and basketball teams have chosen to train and stay in Surrey to prepare for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Their decisions mean 16 Olympic and Paralympic teams have now signed up to use the county’s world class training facilities, out of a total of 30 teams across the entire South East.

And with the deadline for teams to apply for a training grant of up to £25,000 from LOCOG being extended by a month until the end of February, other teams have been invited to see Surrey’s unrivalled facilities.

Great Britain’s cycling world road race champion Mark Cavendish will be among the top stars training on Surrey’s roads as he prepares to add an Olympic gold to his medal collection.

He passed through areas including Thames Ditton, West Molesey, Cobham and Esher, among others. The champ also took in key Surrey sections of the Olympic road race route including Box Hill, near Dorking.

Denise Saliagopoulos, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and the 2012 Games, said: “These athletes demand world class training facilities and superb accommodation to ensure they are at their physical and mental peak for the 2012 Games. With this in mind, it is no surprise so many teams have chosen Surrey as their base.

“The deadline for teams to obtain up to £25,000 from LOCOG as a training grant has been extended until the end of February. We’d be delighted to speak to Olympic and Paralympic nations and show them the superb facilities Surrey has to offer to help prepare their athletes for London 2012.”

Athletes from Canada, Croatia, Dominica and Singapore have already trained in Surrey at venues including Surrey Sports Park and Guildford Spectrum.

Teams Training In Surrey

The full list of teams* signed up to train in Surrey is as follows:

* Three teams cannot be named as they have asked for their training programmes to remain confidential.