General Dorset 2012 questions
General questions about the London 2012 Games coming to Dorset
- Q: Can you give me some idea of the scale of the Olympic and Paralympic Games?
- Q: When do the sailing events for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games take place?
- Q: Where will the 2012 Sailing events take place?
- Q: Where will the actual sailing races take place?
- Q: Why was Weymouth & Portland selected for the 2012 Sailing events?
- Q: What is the history of sailing as an Olympic sport?
- Q: How many countries will be taking part in the 2012 Games sailing events?
- Q: How have local Dorset authorities organised themselves to manage the sailing and associated events?
- Q: How will local authorities be able to afford hosting the Games in Dorset?
- Q: I would like to work as a volunteer in Weymouth & Portland during the Games, how do I go about doing this?
- Q: What security arrangements will be in place during the Games?
- Q: Can I still buy tickets to view the London 2012 sailing events?
- Q: Where will I be able to view the sailing?
- Q: Will I still be able to sail on the waters around Weymouth & Portland when the Games are taking place?
- Q: How will members of the public be made aware of the legacy benefits the Games are delivering and will deliver for the area?
- Q: What does the Olympic 'look & feel' refer to?
- Q: There has been media coverage complaining that sailing is 'not a spectator sport'. What is being done about this to enable local people and visitors to see the races?
- Q: There seems to be a lot of work going on for just for a few weeks sailing. Is it all worth the disruption and cost?
- Q: The term 'legacy benefits' is often used, but what exactly does this mean?
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Q: Can you give me some idea of the scale of the Olympic and Paralympic Games?
A: The Olympic Games is the largest sporting event in the world with 10,500 Olympic athletes and 4,200 Paralympic athletes, 26 Olympic sports in 34 venues, 20 Paralympic sports in 21 venues, Over 9,000,000 tickets, 250,000 accredited people including the athletes' support teams and 20,000 official press and media.
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Q: When do the sailing events for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games take place?
A: The Olympic sailing events take place between 29 July and 11 August 2012, followed by the Paralympic sailing events between 1 September and 6 September 2012. The period in between the two events is known as the 'transition period' when a range of cultural celebrations and other events will take place.
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Q: Where will the 2012 Sailing events take place?
A: The 2012 Sailing events will take place on the coastal waters off Weymouth & Portland and within the inner part of Portland Harbour, with the competition centred at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (W&PNSA), and Portland Marina, Osprey Quay, Portland.
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Q: Where will the actual sailing races take place?
A: There will be five designated Olympic sailing race areas, known as the 'field of play', all of which are within the coastal waters around Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay.
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Q: Why was Weymouth & Portland selected for the 2012 Sailing events?
A: The coastal waters around Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour are credited by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) as the best sailing waters in Northern Europe and amongst the best in the world.
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Q: What is the history of sailing as an Olympic sport?
A: Sailing has been an Olympic sport since the Paris Games in 1900. The sport was left out of the 1904 St Louis Games but returned in 1908 and has been part of the Games ever since. Sailing has been part of the Paralympic Games since Sydney 2000.
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Q: How many countries will be taking part in the 2012 Games sailing events?
A: Teams from 61 nations are expected to take part with up to 380 sailing competitors in ten Olympic events with a further 80 Paralympic sailors taking part in three events.
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Q: How have local Dorset authorities organised themselves to manage the sailing and associated events?
A: Two senior decision making groups, the Dorset 2012 Steering Group and the Dorset 2012 Board, have been established to oversee all 2012 arrangements in Dorset. To help implement the work, the Weymouth & Portland 2012 Operations team has been established, based at Weymouth & Portland Borough Council. This group will oversee a range of 2012 projects including, Live Site, Festival Village, Last Mile, Volunteering, Communication and public engagement.
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Q: How will local authorities be able to afford hosting the Games in Dorset?
A: After consultation with various London 2012 agencies including the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), the Government Olympic Executive (GOE) have allocated Weymouth & Portland Borough Council £1.5m to help meet the additional costs of providing local services to support the sailing events and associated activities of London 2012 Games.
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Q: I would like to work as a volunteer in Weymouth & Portland during the Games, how do I go about doing this?
A: The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games has now closed applications for the official London 2012 Games Maker volunteer programme; however Weymouth & Portland has launched its own specific volunteering programme (called Weymouth & Portland Ambassadors). Visit the Volunteer section of this site to find out more and to apply to become a Weymouth & Portland Ambassador for the London 2012 Games.
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Q: What security arrangements will be in place during the Games?
A: Dorset Police, local authorities, the Marine & Coastguard Agency, Portland Port and Weymouth Harbour Authority will be working together during Games times. There will be increased security arrangements particularly around the Olympic Village and the Sailing Academy which will become secure zones during the Games. Other security provisions will be in place but will need to remain confidential and subject to normal security restrictions.
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Q: Can I still buy tickets to view the London 2012 sailing events?
A: Tickets to see the London 2012 sailing events at the Nothe Fort have now sold out.
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Q: Where will I be able to view the sailing?
A: Spectators will be able to choose from a number of excellent viewing points along the coast but the main viewing areas are likely to be from the Nothe (for ticket holders) and from the Live site on Weymouth beach( for non ticket holders).
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Q: Will I still be able to sail on the waters around Weymouth & Portland when the Games are taking place?
A: Yes, it will be possible to sail but there will be restrictions within the 'field of play' to ensure the racing takes place undisturbed. Visitor berthing within Weymouth & Portland Harbours will also be strictly limited.
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Q: How will members of the public be made aware of the legacy benefits the Games are delivering and will deliver for the area?
A: A schedule of legacy benefits is available to view on the legacy section of this site. In addition, there will be a series of public drop-in sessions / exhibitions between now and 2012 and regular legacy based articles will be publicised on-line and via local media.
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Q: What does the Olympic 'look & feel' refer to?
A: The Look and Feel is the name given to the 'dressing' of the town during the Olympic and Paralympic periods. This refers to banners, screening and other material with the Olympic emblems and colours. It helps to create the unique atmosphere for the Games and visitor experience, demonstrates that the area is a major Olympic and Paralympic venue.
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Q: There has been media coverage complaining that sailing is 'not a spectator sport'. What is being done about this to enable local people and visitors to see the races?
A: Although the races are taking place well out into Weymouth Bay, the plan is to have a free 'Live Site' on Weymouth beach, where large screens will show the races in detail and commentary from the BBC will explain what is happening. This will help bring the races to life and enhance the experience for spectators. It is also hoped that for the London 2012 Games there will be more cameras positioned on the water.
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Q: There seems to be a lot of work going on for just for a few weeks sailing. Is it all worth the disruption and cost?
A: There is indeed a lot of work going on! This has caused disruption and in some cases a lot of inconvenience to the local community over the past year or so. However, the work has and will result in a fantastic amount of investment by both the public and private sectors and will be a lasting legacy for the borough.
Read more about There seems to be a lot of work going on for just for a few weeks sailing. Is it all worth the disruption and cost?
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Q: The term 'legacy benefits' is often used, but what exactly does this mean?
A: Dorset Local Authorities have been capturing legacy benefits that the area is benefiting from, even before the Games have been held.
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