Sports Features

The London Olympics might be more than five years away, but that doesn't keep it from dominating the thoughts of some of Norfolk's sporting talent.

Several young athletes in the county hold aspirations to line up in events when 2012 presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

London takes centre stage for the games, but Norfolk is set to host some of its own Olympic stories with several sporting venues in the county touted as possible training locations for international teams.

Top venue

The Sportspark at the University of East Anglia could be on of those to benefit from the 2012 Games. The facility's director Keith Nicholls feels it's one of the most suitable venues for hosting a top international Olympic team.

"In a recent survey the UEA was deemed to have the best sports facilities at any university, including Bath and Loughborough," he said.

Along with the Sportspark's large indoor arena, eight-lane running track and 50m swimming pool, the venue also boasts its own sports science and sports medicine facilities.

"We believe we're one of the best three places in Britain to host a major team for the Olympics," he added.

Tennis in Cromer

The grass courts of Wimbledon will be hosting the tennis event, generating a demand for suitable lawn training traing venues for the competitors in the build-up.

Cromer Lawn Tennis And Squash Club has put itself forward to fill such a role.

"Tennis at 2012 will be played on grass and we have 10 lawn courts. They may look closer to London but there aren't many grass courts of this quality in the country," said Danny Holdham, the club's manager.

Colney comforts

Norwich City FC have also offered their Colney training grounds to be used as a possible venue.

The abundance of similar locations closer to London means Colney will face stiff competition but the Canaries boast a training facility that is on par with the top Premiership teams.

With Norwich less than a two-hour train ride to Stratford, the bid is certainly due some consideration.

Young hopefuls

But it's not only the county's venues preparing for London 2012, many of Norfolk's young athletes hold aspirations to represent Great Britain in the country's capital.

Rachel Stringer

City of Norwich 800-metre runner Rachel Stringer recently competed in the European Youth Olympic Festival in Belgrade.

She has also been selected into Camp With Kelly, a programme in which young middle-distance runners receive mentoring from double Olympic champion Kelly Holmes.

"Having the Olympics in London is just wow. It'd be amazing to compete, I'm just going to stick at the training and see what happens," said 17-year-old Rachel.

Her fellow club-mate 18-year-old Mitchell Goose recently ran a four-minute mile and is a promising cross-country runner who holds similar Olympic aspirations.

"2012 has got to be an aim. I want to compete in an Olympics at some point and I'll be disappointed if I don't," he said.

Norfolk Prospects

As well as in athletics, several other sporting youngsters around the county have an opportunity at competing in 2012.

Norfolk-born tennis player Richard Bloomfield will be 28 when the Olympics descend on the country.

After an impressive display against Lleyton Hewitt at Wimbledon and a trip into the third round of the doubles competition, Richard has a bright future in the sport which could culminate in him playing at the 2012 games.

"I do sometimes think about how amazing it would feel to be part of the biggest sporting event on the planet," he said.

Bulls-eye

In archery, Lewis Humphries is progressing well.

The 12-year-old from Acle High School is eighth in the under-18 UK rankings, despite being several years younger and less experienced than his opponents. Although he will still only be 17, Lewis is on target for 2012.

Skateboard debut

The London Olympics also look set to see skateboarding make its debut at the games.

After the success snowboarding brought to viewing figures at the Winter Olympics, the IOC is hoping skateboarding will have a similar effect.

It's great news for Norfolk vert-skaters Paul-Luc Ronchetti, 14, and Sam Beckett, 15, who are already competing against and defeating pro-skaters several years their senior.