UL in prime position to attract Olympic business

THE Mid-West yesterday stepped into the starting blocks in the race for London Olympics business.

The University of Limerick confirmed that it has already started drawing up a plan to market the campus as a major preparation base for international athletes in the years leading up to the 2012 games.

And Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary said the acclaimed sports facilities at UL and an expanding flights profile at Shannon, makes the Mid-West stand out as ‘a shining-light’ as a preparation centre for the Olympics.

The UL campus, he said, with a 50m pool, will be a huge attraction for athletes wishing to acclimatise.

Mr O’Leary, speaking at the launch of two additional destinations at Shannon, said the Mid-West would also be a hugely attractive accommodation centre for people attending the games, with Shannon able to provide better low cost feeder flights into London than regional airports in the UK.

Mr O’Leary said: “The London Olympics present a major opportunity to the Mid-West. The Olympics are not an event lasting weeks. Athletes from all over the world will be travelling to train in this climate two and three years before the games actually take place.”

Dave Mahedy, Director of Sport at UL said they have already held meetings to embark on a major drive to attract international athletes to train on the campus.

Mr Mahedy said UL is fully equipped to offer a full package to international athletes preparing for major events such as the Olympics.

Mr Mahedy said: “Prior to the Athens Olympics, the Dutch swimming squad came here three times to use our 50m pool and all the other facilities we have to offer. And they went on to win 11 medals in Greece, including one gold.”

He said the indoor Arena will be able to offer facilities to swimmers and to countries with basketball, volleyball and badminton teams.

Sophisticated medical analyses and fitness level tests are also carried out at UL.

Mr Mahedy said: “We have a big advantage over other training centres. Besides having the physical infrastructure including a 50m pool, we also have on campus accommodation for 2,500 athletes and can present them with a huge variety of dietary choices.”

Kate Sheahan, conference and Events manger at UL said they were very confident the campus would become an international pre-games training centre.

She said: “We have a proven record and what we offer is well known among international athletes and coaches around the world. London 2012 presents us with huge opportunities and we are already working on a major marketing strategy. Our facilities and a climate similar to that of the UK will be a huge attraction. An added bonus, is that athletes who come here can train in relative privacy in a peaceful environment. We can also cater for any dietary requirements and our on site caterers are accustomed to catering for large numbers of cultural, nutritional and dietary diversity.”