The Journal reported today that those being put forward by local development agency One NorthEast also include some of the region’s major sports venues, such as Gateshead Stadium, the new 50 metres swimming pool in Sunderland, the Tees Barrage and Hartlepool Marina.

 

Newcastle United’s St James’s Park is already down to host matches in the Olympic football tournament.

 

Other smaller bids have come from the likes of Deerness Gymnastics and Leisure Centre, in Ushaw Moor, County Durham, Morpeth Cricket, Hockey and Tennis Club and Glenn McCrory’s International School of Boxing, based in Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle.

 

He hopes to attract the Cuban boxing team.

 

Stacy Hall, One NorthEast director of communications and tourism, and board member of the North East England London 2012 Games Forum, told the newspaer: “We are striving to have as many North East facilities included in the pre-Games training camp guide book as possible.

 

“This guide will be launched by LOCOG at the Beijing Games in the summer to overseas federations and it will include those North East facilities chosen by LOCOG.

 

“These facilities have to meet specific technical requirements to be able to cater for world-class athletes.

 

"Playing host to Olympic athletes will boost regional image and reputation, showing we have the capability to stage sporting events in the future and encouraging more people to participate in sport.

 

“It’s a great opportunity for the region and we look forward to the announcement on March 3 to find out which facilities have been selected.”

 

The full article can be read at http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2008/02/13/sporting-chance-of-a-share-in-olympics-61634-20467991/.