TEAM Ipswich has today stepped up its campaign to bring an Olympic training team to the town.Ipswich's Sports Ambassador, swimming legend Karen Pickering, and Ipswich Borough councillor for leisure Judy Terry has written to all 21 venues, which run sporting facilities in the area, to help them market themselves in a bid to establish Ipswich as a training hub for the Olympics and Paralympics.

TEAM Ipswich has today stepped up its campaign to bring an Olympic training team to the town.

Ipswich's Sports Ambassador, swimming legend Karen Pickering, and Ipswich Borough councillor for leisure Judy Terry has written to all 21 venues, which run sporting facilities in the area, to help them market themselves in a bid to establish Ipswich as a training hub for the Olympics and Paralympics.

Team Ipswich was set up by IBC to market the town and the surrounding area to the world's Olympic organising committees and also to boost sport in the community to raise fitness levels across all age ranges.

Last week, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) announced that seven sporting facilities in the Ipswich area would be included in the national guide being circulated at the Beijing Games this summer.

All seven signed up with Team Ipswich last year and will be part of a comprehensive international strategy to bring training teams here.

Mrs Terry said: “There is massive potential here not only for sport but for cultural links. Ipswich is planning to exploit its

unique position in Suffolk - not only its proximity to the 2012 Games site but also its role as community leader, with more than 70

languages spoken here.

“We took a bold step to create Team Ipswich and to appoint a sporting ambassador but this is now paying dividends. We have so much to offer training teams and I am sure everyone will get behind whichever team or teams decide to come here. We are also grateful for the important support of the business community which has given a real boost to Team Ipswich.”

The seven successful venues are Ipswich Gymnastics Centre, the Team Ipswich Northgate Sports Centre, Ipswich Town FC, Alton Water, Felixstowe Tennis Club, Bentwaters Park and Otley College.

Ian Twinley, chair of Team Ipswich and John Grose, said: “This is a big step for Ipswich but one we will take - and complete - for we are determined to leave a strong legacy here in Ipswich which will last for many generations. As a major Suffolk business, John Grose is proud to support Team Ipswich and the emerging athletes in the town. We owe it not only to them but to all the youngsters who dream of becoming Olympic stars to succeed. Team Ipswich has a clear vision and will do everything it can to bring training teams to the town and to play our full part in the preparations of 2012.”