Euro MP Sharon Bowles visits Dorney Lake to see preparations for Olympic rowing

With a year to go to the Olympics South East Euro MP, Sharon Bowles, has been checking out preparations in her region, which includes Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.
She visited Dorney Lake near Eton this week, which is about to host the Junior World Rowing Championships and is the Olympic venue for rowing and canoeing.

Sharon Bowles MEP rowing at Dorney Lake

Sharon Bowles said:

"Dorney Lake is already renowned as a world class venue and has hosted rowing world cup and world championship events, as well as other major international events in several sports. The freshness of the water and the track around the course make it quite a favourite for triathlons.

"The main challenge will be the travel logistics of getting a much larger number of spectators into the venue and the erection of a 2.5 metre perimeter fence around what is the largest footprint site of next year's Olympics.

Sharon, who rowed for Oxford University, the Civil Service, and Abingdon Rowing Club, shared her own experiences with Managing Director, Ivor Lloyd, and Chief Coach, Terry Hunter, and took up their offer to get back into a sculling boat.

Sharon said:

"Most of my rowing has been on rivers and like Ivor and many others I have had the dubious privilege of sinking due to the difficult conditions that can blow up at the course at Holme Pierrepont inNottingham. This is a delight and I am really tempted to try and find the time to row again.

"Rowing is always one of the events that I watch, and I am both pleased and proud that we are able to provide such a fantastic venue for rowing and canoeing. Team GB of course has my wholehearted support."

Ivor Lloyd explained to Sharon that there will be an estimated 30,000 spectators for the Olympic rowing and canoe events next year. More stands will be erected on one side of the course, increasing seating capacity from 500 to 5,000 and a further 25,000 spectators will be able to roam in the grounds.

In order to manage traffic, plans for park and ride facilities from several locations, such as racecourses, are being put in place. This will include an 11-metre-wide footbridge over the Thames, linking Windsor Racecourse toDorneyLake.

Royal Holloway College will serve as the 'Olympic village' for rowing and canoeing.

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