Olympics

2012 promises to be an exciting year for Dorset as the county will be hosting the sailing competitions during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  The sailing will take place at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, which was developed to take advantage of what are recognised as some of the best small boat sailing waters world-wide. 

Even before the athletes arrive, the Olympic Torch Relay will be coming through Dorset in July on its way to London.  Full details of the route will be announced in the autumn of 2011 but there will be celebrations and events along the route to mark this momentous occasion. 

The venue in Dorset will be the 2^nd largest Olympic and Paralympic Games venue after London and the ambition is to deliver the most memorable sailing experience in the history of the Games.  Plans for the Games include a free Live Screen on Weymouth Beach, so even if you  don’t have tickets for the official spectator area, you will still be able to follow the sailing on the screen.  There will also be a Festival Area and Stage featuring entertainment for all ages.  Travelling to Weymouth will be easiest by public transport – as well as direct train services, there will be a number of park and rides in operation.

The county will also be playing a full part in the UK’s biggest ever  festival, the Cultural Olympiad, which will feature a mix of high quality festivals, one-off performances and exhibitions across all art forms and other disciplines.

Direct train services operate between Christchurch and Weymouth so why not stay in Christchurch and enjoy our coast and countryside, delicious food and drink,  fascinating heritage and attractions and have the added benefit of  a stress-free journey to watch the Olympics  and Paralympics sailing events and Cultural Olympiad.