By Tom Degun at the ExCeL Arena in London

ExCelDecember 9 - The final London 2012 test events of 2011 are set to take place here this weekend as the two sports of weightlifting and wrestling take centre stage.


The London 2012 test events, titled the London Prepares series, began in May this year this year with the marathon event and numerous others have followed including the basketball test event in August which saw competitive sport take place at the Olympic Park in Stratford for the first time.

This weekend will see both the weightlifting and wrestling take place tomorrow and Sunday (December 11) and both the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA) said the event was an important stepping stone to London for them.

"This competition is vital for us," said IWF President Dr Tamás Aján.

"But we predict great this as we have been overwhelmed with the level of technical expertise, committed work ethic, professional leadership and genuine enthusiasm displayed by London 2012 and their staff.

"The Weightlifting Test Event will be without any doubt an outstanding and memorable experience for all participants and we have big expectations for it."

FILA President Raphaël Martinetti added: "The arena here looks fantastic and it is an excellent stage for our sport.

"I think that this is important so that we can get any problems out of the way before the start of the Olympics."

Weightlifting and wrestling are two of seven sports set to take place at the giant ExCeL Arena at the Olympics which is situated in London's Docklands, a short distance away from the Olympic Park in Stratford.

The other five sports to take place at the venue during London 2012 are boxing, table tennis, fencing, judo and taekwondo.

The five sports have all successfully had their test events at the venue over the last few weeks with the weightlifting and wrestling competitions set to conclude the test events at the ExCel.

Test events will resume next year with gymnastics in January at the O2 – or the North Greenwich Arena as it will be known during London 2012 due to sponsorship restrictions imposed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

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