Skip Navigation

Dorset beyond the Olympic sailing events

Dorset 2012 Legacy

How Dorset is making the most of its once in a lifetime chance to host the Olympic sailing and Paralympic sailing events in Weymouth and Portland, Dorset.

Hosting the Olympic sailing and Paralympic sailing events in Weymouth and Portland represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to create positive change, regeneration and a sustainable legacy for Dorset's residents, communities and businesses.

Some benefits so far

  • Relief Road and new transport infrastructure
  • New artist designed footbridges
  • Transport and promotion links with Bristol Airport
  • Expansion of Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy - winning new events
  • New marina and marine workshops
  • Accredited new sailing school
  • Royal Yachting Association permanent training centre built
  • On shore athletes accommodation underway
  • Enhanced publicity for Dorset and Weymouth & Portland across all media
  • Visit Britain to promote Dorset and Weymouth & Portland abroad
  • Spirit of the Sea Festival - additional visitors and income
  • Increased marine based development at Osprey Quay
  • Removal of 'Tank Farm' - which will be used for employment after 2012 - plus improved entrance to Portland
  • Cultural Olympiad events inspire community activity
  • £1m+ Investment by Arts Council and English Heritage in Weymouth Seafront Regeneration
  • Potential 2012 Sponsors Investment ...being pursued
  • Marine and Coastal access improvements
  • 'Access to Nature' Lottery Funded Project £550,000
  • Free Promotion of Weymouth & Portland and Dorset on South West Train Stations
  • Chesil Beach Centre Expansion £1.1m scheme, with £550,000 Heritage Lottery Grant

Opportunities in Dorset

There are significant social, cultural, sporting, and business opportunities to be won before, during and beyond 2012.

To realise these opportunities requires drive, vision, new thinking, entrepreneurship, creativity, risk, belief, positive attitudes and action.

Our legacy vision is not just about physical infrastructure; it's about education, skills, employment and social regeneration. It's about each and every one of us developing a proud and positive attitude that we can share with the world when the world spotlight focuses on Dorset in 2012.

Money is vital but ethos and belief are equal generators of change. Individuals, organisations and partnerships across Dorset are working hard to deliver a legacy and take advantage of any 2012 opportunities that arise.

Get involved with the Olympic legacy in Dorset

If you have a 2012 focussed project in the pipeline or you think you can get involved but are not sure how, contact us by email at london2012@westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk  

So where is the legacy being delivered?

The London Organising Committee has defined five themes under which the Olympic and Paralympic legacy is being recorded:

  • Community and wellbeing

  • Economy and infrastructure

  • Education and skills

  • Environment and sustainability

  • Sports and culture

TDC: Link to Team Dorset Challenge
Inspired by the London 2012 Olympics, the Team Dorset Challenge encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and do new things.
Revive: Link to Revive Portland
Revive is a community led project that will last beyond Games time, leaving a real, positive legacy beyond 2012.
Inspire Mark: Link to Inspire
The Inspire programme recognises outstanding non‐commercial projects and events inspired by London 2012 across sport, culture, education, volunteering, sustainability and business.
Relays: Link to Relays
The RELAYS (Regional Educational Legacy in Arts and Youth Sport) project is a programme of cultural and sporting opportunities to generate a positive legacy beyond the 2012 Games.
Get Set: Link to Get Set
Get Set is the official London 2012 education programme for schools, colleges and local authority education providers across the UK.
Tag Rugby on Weymouth beach sports arena: Link to Sport in Dorset
If the Olympics and Paralympics have inspired you and your family to get more active there are lots of places to get involved in sports and activities across Dorset.

Get the latest updates

See also

Olympic sailing news

Powered by GOSS iCM
Feedback Form
Leads to Insight