Leeds at the centre of China’s preparation for the Olympics

24 July 2012

Leeds is playing host to over 250 Olympic Athletes and Officials as the city becomes the European headquarters for the Chinese Olympic Committee.

Chinese athletes will acclimatise to British conditions by using state of the art sports facilities across the city region, including the University of Leeds, Leeds Metropolitan University, Bradford College, Wakefield Sport Club and Leeds City Council’s John Charles Centre for Sport. The first athletes will arrive on 7 July and the last will head to London for the Games on 8 August.

As Peter Smith, Leeds City Council’s Project Manager for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games explained “the process of wooing the Chinese team started some 4 years ago and we’re viewing China’s decision to select Leeds as its European headquarters – ahead of rivals across Western Europe – as a major coup.”