AS preparations for the London 2012 Olympics gets under way, the latest eye-catching image for the Team Ipswich campaign has been released today.The striking artwork shows a gymnast confidently atop the town's famous Willis building.

AS preparations for the London 2012 Olympics gets under way, the latest eye-catching image for the Team Ipswich campaign has been released today.

The striking artwork shows a gymnast confidently atop the town's famous Willis building.

It is the second image in the campaign, which aims to promote Ipswich in the eyes of the sporting world and present the town as the "gateway to the Olympic games."

The first image showed a hurdler clearing the Orwell Bridge, one of the region's most famous landmarks.

The campaign comes as regions throughout Britain are manoeuvring to persuade national teams to set up training camps in their area prior to the Olympic Games.

Team Ipswich is being spearheaded by the town's new sporting ambassador - Olympic swimmer Karen Pickering.

The Evening Star is a partner in the council-run initiative, which also aims to develop competitive sport and increase participation at grassroots level.

Team Ipswich manager Adam Baker said: "We are delighted with the way Team Ipswich, and the promotion campaign, is going.

"The initiative will keep us ahead of the field and we are pleased to be working closely with The Evening Star."

As the campaign gets going, luminaries from the sporting world expressed their support.

Steve Cram MBE, Olympic silver medallist and Commonwealth, European and World gold medal winning athlete, said: "Club based sport is essential to the future sporting success of our nation. I am therefore pleased to lend my support to Karen Pickering and Team Ipswich and wish them well for the future."

Sir Steve Redgrave, five times Olympic gold medalist rower, said: "I am pleased to support the Team Ipswich concept and wish Karen Pickering well in her new role as Sports Ambassador for Ipswich."

Echoing the same sentiments, Olympic athlete Alison Curbishley said: "I am pleased to offer my support to both Karen Pickering as Sports Ambassador for Ipswich and to Team Ipswich. I'm sure it will be a huge success."

While world indoor sprint champion and Olympic silver medalist Jamie Baulch said: "What a great idea. Good luck Karen. Good luck Team Ipswich."

Daley Thompson OBE, double Olympic decathlon champion, simply added: "I think it's a great idea, I wish I lived in Ipswich."

What do you think of the Team Ipswich campaign? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

n See today's Grass Roots supplement for the best in youth sport.