London Latest - Badminton Seeks Olympics Atmosphere; Traffic Troubles for Cycling Test

(ATR) Badminton World Federation's events director tells Around the Rings that the sport hopes it doesn't get left behind at London 2012 because of the host venue's distance from the Olympic Park.

The Olympics badminton competition takes place at Wembley Arena in north London where Darren Parks spoke of his concern about the location at the just-ended world championships.

Badminton was supposed to have a temporary built venue in the park before LOCOG changed its mind and decided to host the event at the 70-year-old venue, and Parks hopes that there will still be plenty of interest in the sport despite the distance from the hub of the Olympics.

"One of the things you want as a sport is to be part of that Olympic park atmosphere. I hope that they manage to create that same Olympic Park atmosphere here in the northern outpost of the Games," he told ATR.

"That was our initial concern when our planned venue in the park was changed to being out here."

He revealed that badminton's concerns have been relayed to LOCOG and initiatives were in place to bump up attention in the sport and provide easy access for spectators and media.

"That’s one of the things LOCOG is assuring us that they’re working on to make sure that we are as involved and part of the Olympics out here as anybody," Parks said. "Obviously we've got the football across the road, so we’re not completely on our own."

Speaking about the world champs as a test event, Parks said he was "very happy" with the way that it had gone and gave ATR a couple of examples of what the federation rehearsed for next summer.

"The line judges are the same line judges that will be here next summer, so it has been a really good orientation for them working in the same hall and lighting," he said.

"The wooden floor has also been given a good test, because the badminton competition manager is one of the team who actually laid the floor so he had absolutely hands-on knowledge of what it takes to organize it."

LOCOG chairman Sebastian Coe visited the world champs last Thursday with several IOC officials who were in the capital for the chef de missions seminar. Coe praised the "terrific" arena, adding: "We would almost certainly have included it in our Games bidproposal had it been available to us when we were bidding backin 2005."

Also pleased with the venue and the organization of the tournament was Badminton England’s chief executive Adrian Christy who told ATR: "We are delighted to test many aspects of this event that will come as part of the Olympics next year.

"LOCOG have worked with us for the last 12 months in helping us understand the elements they want to test."

Commenting on the impact of the riots that blighted the British capital the weekend before the world championships, Christy admitted that the athletes were initially concerned about safety.

"We wanted to reassure all of the players and team managers, especially those for whom English was not their first language and just saw the pictures," he said.

"But we were able to communicate effectively through our team, and reassure everyone involved so that the events did not impact our event at all."

Christy also added that the atmosphere inside the venue whilst the home pairing of Chris Adcock and Imogen Haden played their doubles match was "electric" and "the third man on the court".

On whether Team GB would claim a gold medal next summer, he concluded: "There is no doubt how important the home crowd is. But we’re just taking one match at a time. All we can do is make sure we give the best preparation possible which we will. We can compete with the best in the world."

Transport Congestion for Road Cycling Test

Tour de France green jersey winner Mark Cavendish won the London-Surrey Cycle Classic on Sunday in what was the biggest 2012 test event to be staged by LOCOG to date.

Around1,400 roads in central London and Surrey were closed from early in the morning until mid-afternoon, causing traffic snarl-ups along the 140km route. Transport for London chiefs had earlier warned drivers and residents in the six London boroughs that there would be a "major impact" on road transport.

Leon Daniels of Transport for London defended the agency's handling of the test event. "A huge amount of planning and delivery went into making this event happen. The vast majority of people appeared to heed our advice to plan their travel and used Tube and rail services, while others chose to enjoy viewing the race in their local area," he said.

Britain's Cavendish hailed the course and atmosphere after his victory. "It was incredible, there was a big crowd and it was very technical. It’s really great. It has a special finish down The Mall and was really well organised. It’s good for the city and good for cycling."

More than 150 world class athletes made up the field of riders in the race which started and ended on The Mall in St James’s Park

Debbie Jevans, London 2012 director of sport, said: "I want to thank London and Surrey residents for changing their normal Sunday to accommodate this race and to the tens of thousands who lined the route to support the athletes. Today our focus was to test the 'field of play', road and traffic management, crowd and spectator numbers and technology and communications from the race back to the head quarters."

Pat McQuaid, President of the International Cycling Union, said: "The Olympic road race test even has beenan overall success and we are impressed with how it has been managed by LOCOG. The race attracted the world’s best athletes which in turn attracted magnificent crowds to watch throughout the course, some of which may never have seen road cycling before."

Beach Volleyball Test Wraps Up

The Visa FIVB Beach Volleyball International ended on a high Sunday with Brazilian pair Lili and Angela Vieira taking the title. Vieira said: "I am thankful for the whole test of the Olympic event. It was pretty good, perfect. I have never been here before and I love London."

A total of 24 teams took part in the Aug 9 to 14 competition at the iconic Horse Guard’s Parade venue.

David Luckes, LOCOG's head of sport competition said: "The atmosphere was fantastic throughout the whole week. Athletes, spectators and volunteers all talked about the amazing setting and the great time they all had.

"We successfully tested the field of play [including the sand], results systems, lighting and sport presentation. Bringing beach volleyball in this format to London is a first for the capital, the fact that it was in this iconic venue added to the appeal."

Sailing Test Success

The International Sailing Federation has heralded the Weymouth and Portland International Regatta as a "tremendous success". LOCOG tested elements of all 10 Olympic sailing disciplines (six for men, four for women) from dinghies and keelboats to windsurfing boards. The invitational Regatta saw 440 athletes from 65 nations sail the Olympic race course over a 14-day period.

ISAF technical delegate Alastair Fox said: "The Weymouth & Portland International Regatta 2011 has been a tremendous success. LOCOG have worked hard to ensure that sailors and coaches from 65 nations have had the best possible test event for next year’s Olympic sailing competition."

He added: "The on-water race management has been world-class, as have the venue facilities and I would particularly like to thank the hundreds of LOCOG and ISAF volunteers who have worked so hard to ensure that everything is in place for 2012.

"For ISAF this regatta has been hugely important as we have been evaluating the best ways of presenting sailing at the Olympic Games."

Italian Winner Happy with Marathon Swim

LOCOG was also pleased with the outcome of Saturday's marathon swim event. The London 10km Marathon Swimming International took place in Hyde Park, drawing swimming fans to the Serpentine Lake to watch the action. Swimmers competed over six laps of 1.67 km in the lake.

In the women's race, Italy's Martina Grimaldi won the gold medal, and said of the event: "It has been very well organised. There will be lots more people next year, and I will be excited to swim here again next year."

The one day invitational event welcomed 60 athletes who finished within the top 30, in the men’s and women’s competition, at the 14th FINA World Championships 2011 in Shanghai, China last month.

Reported by Christian Radnedge and Mark Bisson