After 180 Million Years, First 2012 Olympic Venue is Ready for Action

It will be the first venue ready for the London 2012 Olympics, even though it is 140 miles from the capital. And while work has not yet started on the foundations for the Olympic stadium in Stratford, east London, this natural amphitheater has evolved through 180m years of geological history. "The field of play has been provided for us by nature. All we have to do is provide the onsite facilities," says John Tweed, director of development at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, which will host the sailing at the 2012 games. The Jurassic Coast, a world heritage site, will provide a spectacular backcloth to an event in which Britain has strong medal prospects.

When London last staged the Olympics, in 1948, sailing was held at Torquay because Weymouth was still crowded with Royal Navy ships after the war. This time, with the natural advantage of the lowest tidal range around the UK, and the ability to provide the five different sailing courses required by the International Olympic Committee, Weymouth is determined to seize its opportunity. As soon as it was confirmed as the sailing venue, local estate agents reported a surge of interest from investment buyers. "We are expecting another push next year when work begins on the new relief road and 2012 nears," said Mark Bonnett, manager of Hull, Gregson and Hull. The area is in need of economic uplift. When the Royal Navy air station closed in 1999, 4,500 jobs were lost and unemployment was projected to rise to 16%. Now the same venue will aid Weymouth and Portland's regeneration. At Osprey Quay, which was developed from the old naval station, the Olympic Delivery Authority plans to build a permanent slipway, more race-boat parking, lifting and mooring facilities. There are also plans for a 560-berth commercial marina, of which nearly 250 berths will be used during the games.

At the weekend, scores of youngsters, some of whom have ambitions of competing in the games, were practicing their skills in the bay. John Marsh, 15, said: "I'm not sure I'll be good enough to compete in the Olympics but it's great that it's happening here. It's bound to inspire lots of kids and make them better sailors, even if they don't actually make the games." Paul Ormes, manager of the Henri Lloyd sailing store, said: "The people who live here generally have an interest in sailing, surfing, windsurfing or kite surfing. The schools and sailing clubs are really developing the youth of the town. There are lots of dinghy courses and people are making the most of the facilities." Most people seem to be looking forward to the Olympics, though many think one of the biggest benefits will be the new relief road. Tom Barras, 61, a steward at Weymouth Working Men's Club, said: "It is a fantastic opportunity to put Weymouth and Portland on the map. Another benefit is that we will get the relief road. Finally it looks like it is going to be built."

House prices

But the coming of the Olympics is not universally welcomed. Jeri Stone, 25, who works in the seafood hut on the beach, is being forced to move out of the area because soaring house prices means she cannot get on the property ladder. "I think the Olympics will bring a lot of tourism to the area," she said. "But I'm moving to Lincolnshire because I can't afford a house here."

More than 30,000 spectators are expected in 2012, many watching from grandstands on the beach and clifftops. A cruise liner will accommodate competitors in a floating Olympic village, while members of the IOC family and hospitality guests will stay in the new marina. There are plans for a new 125-bed, four-star hotel in Weymouth, but the majority of the accommodation is geared towards traditional tourism, with guest houses, bed-and-breakfast and caravan parks. Mr Tweed said: "Weymouth and Portland can reposition itself away from being simply a bucket-and-spade resort."

Inspiring

He said the academy would continue to develop its work with schools and the community, including its Sailing for a Fiver weeks, which this year got 800 children who had never sailed before on the water. "There will be a hard legacy of enhanced facilities, but also a soft legacy of inspiring a generation of young people in this area to choose sport and see sailing as an option for them." He added: "If we do well in 2012 and if we have fantastic TV images of the coast flashed across the world, there is every prospect of a lasting legacy."

Mark Stubbings is chief executive of the academy, which opened in 2005 with a remit from the Royal Yachting Association, sailing's governing body, to promote it as an all-inclusive sport. He said: "It is much easier for us to be excited about the Olympics because the venue is already here. In east London the cables have gone underground, but most of the work will be invisible for quite a long time. Here the legacy will start three years early - we start getting the benefits from 2009 onwards."

In figures

30,000
Olympics spectators expected to arrive in Weymouth in 2012

800
Local youngsters who had never sailed before went on to the water this year

560
Berths at a planned marina. Nearly 250 berths will be used during the games

140
Miles from London. But Weymouth will be the first venue ready for the games