Olympic gold medallist Chris Boardman was on hand to boost London's 2012 Olympic bid during the International Olympic Committee's visit to Weald Country Park in Brentwood on Saturday.

The cycling superstar hosted a biking workshop for pupils from two Brentwood schools as the London bid team sought to emphasise the massive boost Essex and East London would receive from hosting the Games.

Weald Country Park has been selected as London's venue for mountain biking and IOC members, including former Namibian Olympic sprinter Frankie Fredericks, were greeted at the park by Essex County Council cabinet member for sport Cllr Stephen Castle.

During the visit the IOC members viewed the park's facilities while pupils from Bentley St Paul's Primary and St Peter's CE Primary in South Weald took part in cycling workshop with Mr Boardman.

Mr Castle said: "Weald is an exceptional country park and is the perfect venue for mountain biking for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

"It was a delight that the IOC members took the time to come and see for themselves Weald Country Park's excellent facilities and, of course, Essex in general."

The IOC's visit to Weald Country Park was one of the last stops in its four day fact finding tour of London.

Evaluation Commission leader Nawal El Moutawakel said: "The bid committee must be congratulated on the quality of the candidature and the presentations, the professionalism with which the process has been handled. The commission has been very impressed with the level of involvement of distinguished athletes in London."

London faces tough competition in its battle for the games and is up against Paris, New York, Madrid and Moscow.

Published Monday February 28, 2005

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