London Latest - Test Event Trio; Torch Relay Rehearsal

Shooting in "Heart" of Olympics

The secretary general of the International Shooting Sport Federation tells Around the Rings it's critical for shooting to be located in "the heart" of the London 2012 Olympics.

Franz Schreiber was speaking to ATR at the ongoing ISSF Shooting World Cup, which doubles as a test event for the Games at the historic Royal Artillery Barracks in Greenwich.

With the Olympic Park just across the river, the location could be considered one of the best Olympic venues ever for shooting, according to Schreiber.

"LOCOG was proposing Bisley as one of the centers in England to use," he said. "Then we said is there another possibility because Bisley is quite far away, and then we found this good position and location here.

"To be in the heart of the Games is extremely important for us because most of the time our venue is a little bit outside, so our athletes have to travel a long time. To be in London, in the center, in the city, 20 minutes from the Athletes' Village is extremely good for us."

Schreiber also addressed how LOCOG continues to be fully cooperative with the ISSF in the organization of this event, which started Wednesday and runs all the way through to April 29.

More than 800 athletes are competing at the venue, which will also host shooting and archery during the Paralympic Games.

The only problems encountered by Schreiber were mainly cosmetic ones. "The grass outside needs to look nicer," he told ATR. "But any problems that do arise between now and the end of the competition will be brought straight to LOCOG’s attention."

Even Olympics minister Hugh Robertson was offering his help when he visited the venue Thursday. "Everything we have LOCOG is taking seriously – we know it is a test event," Schreiber said.

"So we said we need to find a solution for this and that, but always have open ears and cooperation is excellent. Especially the sports minister Hugh Robertson was asking if we had any points to mention at the moment, and we didn’t but we will see.

"After the test event, we will sit together with LOCOG and talk to our experts, our technical delegates, our jury members, find out what they have on their list to do – also we will ask the athletes what they want to change or improve – then we speak to LOCOG and I am sure we will receive open ears."

Minor Issues for Wheelchair Rugby

The secretary general of the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation tells ATR that only "minor issues" need to be resolved for his sport at the London Paralympics.

Eron Main was speaking to ATR at the Basketball Arena in Olympic Park, home to wheelchair rugby during the Paralympic Games.

He had high praise for the temporary venue, saying "We are really pleased with how the event’s gone so far. Everything is really positive, and things have gone relatively smoothly.

"There are some minor issues that need to be resolved – but really these are so small they are not worth mentioning. What is good is that these things are able to be resolved right now."

However, Main did also mention that the athleteshad been suffering under the British weather – a cold and wet spell is currently blighting London at the moment.

"It’s April in London – the venue is clearly designed to be a summer venue so it is a bit chilly. We won’t have this problem in August and September I am sure.

"I’m confident from what I’ve seen here that we are going to have a really successful Games."

The invitational tournament is also the first Paralympic test event of 2012, with wheelchair tennis due to have its own event next month at Eton Manor.

Aquatics Centre Busy Again

Despite being the last venue to be completed, the Aquatics Centre has been one of the busiest in the past few months. This weekend will see the culmination of the FINA Olympic Qualification Synchronized Swimming test event.

Last month Diving and swimming had their turn in the venue, but this time LOCOG was able to fully test the underwater camera and speaker facilities used in this unique sport.

Athletes from 34 countries have come to London to compete in the publicly ticketed and surprisingly well-attended event.

"This will be our third competitive test of the Aquatics Centre, but it is just as important that we test the pool for the synchronized swimmers and give our workforce a chance to work as a team with 100 days to go until the start of the Games,"LOCOG sport manager Debbie Jevans said on Wednesday:

Team Great Britain’s Asha Randall enjoyed experiencing what the venue will be like to perform in this summer, saying "It was a really great feeling, having a home crowd cheer us on."

Torch Relay Gets Dress Rehearsal

LOCOG is holding a test event of sorts for the torch relay too. The rehearsal is intended to test every element of the production, including convoy splits and alternate modes of transport.

Taking place on the Leicester to Peterbrough stretch of the route, LOCOG said it chose to test there because it represents a typical day of the relay, including both rural and city locations.

However, the test is strictly operational and will not include a flame – but it is a good chance to see how the torch convoy will handle navigating Britain’s tight roads. The convoy consists of 14 core vehicles, including a pilot car, Torchbearer drop-off and pick-up shuttles, Presenting Partner vehicles, a media vehicle, a command car and security vehicles.

"The dress rehearsal is a great opportunity to test all parts of the Olympic Torch Relay. I would like to thank the host Local Authorities and Police Forces for working with us on this rehearsal," LOCOG chair Sebastian Coe said in a statement.

"Tests are essential to ensure the smooth running of our operations around the Torch Relay. When all the final elements are added for the relay itself, the excitement will really build for the start of the London 2012 Games and the U.K. will get its moment to shine."

The Olympic Torch Relay will start in Land’s End on May 19 and travel 8,000 miles around the U.K. over 70 days until its arrival in the Olympic Stadium on July 27.

Written and reported in London by Christian Radnedge

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