TODAY marks 2012 days to the 2012 Games and Ipswich used the day to loudly proclaim it wants a piece of the Olympics action.In a united effort to convince international teams to base themselves here in the run-up to the London Games, representatives of the sporting venues with the best chance of acting as pre-Olympic training camps officially put their case for the first time today.

TODAY marks 2012 days to the 2012 Games and Ipswich used the day to loudly proclaim it wants a piece of the Olympics action.

In a united effort to convince international teams to base themselves here in the run-up to the London Games, representatives of the sporting venues with the best chance of acting as pre-Olympic training camps officially put their case for the first time today.

Among them are 16 venues which Team Ipswich, the group charged with promoting sport in the town, has judged to be up to international standard.

They are headed by Ipswich Gymnastics Centre at Gainsborough, Otley College's new equestrian centre and the running track at Northgate Sports Centre.

But the list also includes a few surprises which Team Ipswich bosses think have strong chances of luring national teams.

Among them are the Felixstowe Rifle Club and the former airfield at Bentwaters Park, which is being touted as a venue for cycling training.

Ipswich's sports ambassador Karen Pickering and former Team GB logistics expert Dave Chisholm issued a rallying call to the venues with 2012 days to go before the Games and both insisted Ipswich had a real chance of having teams based here.

Mr Chisholm said: “We've found facilities that are outstanding. We now need to start backing ourselves a bit.

“If we get just one small table tennis team it's fantastic but there really is the potential for a lot more.”

While Miss Pickering said: “I am so excited about the possibility of Ipswich even hosting one team in one sport.”

After a year-long audit of the area's sporting facilities, Team Ipswich has judged that Ipswich and its surrounding areas can accommodate 21 out of the 26 sports which athletes will compete in at the Olympics, while 17 of the 19 sports at the Paralympics could be catered for.

Today it will present those findings to the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and the information will be sent to teams around the world.

Liz Harsant, the leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: “Ipswich is a regional centre for sport and we believe we can attract an international training team here ahead of the Games in 2012 and we are working with many partners to build the strongest case possible.”

WEBLINK

www.teamipswich.com

www.london2012.org

The Venues:

Alton Water (sprint canoe training)

Ipswich Gymnastics Centre (gymnastics)

Bentwaters Park (cycling, mountain biking and archery)

Britannia Table Tennis Club

Ipswich Sports Club (hockey)

Felixstowe Rifle Club (air pistol)

Felixstowe Lawn Tennis Club

Ipswich Town Football Club

Swimming pool complex

Northgate Sports Centre (athletics)

Otley College (equestrian)

Gainsborough Sport and Community Centre

Holbrook High School sports centre

Maidenhall Sports Centre

Trinity Park

Whitton Sport and Community Centre

Royal Hospital School (accommodation)