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Summer 2012

We thought you might want to take a peek at the amazing venues where you could be working during summer 2012. We are sure you will be as excited as we are to be delivering catering services for a truly international event, satisfying over 50,000 people per day at two venues that incorporate a whole host of elite sports.

Eton Dorney

A world-class centre of sporting excellence located 25 miles west of London, Dorney Lake was conceived as an idea by Eton College rowing teachers in the 1960's. Over 40 years later their dream came true. The site is now acclaimed as one of the finest in the world, as affirmed by its selection as a 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games venue for the Rowing and Canoeing Regattas.

  • The rowing lanes are 2,200m - that's 5 and a half times around an Olympic running track
  • Set in a 400 acre park with a nature conservation area
  • You may spot a few bales of barley floating around as they are used to discourage any algae
  • The lake is filled with water coming from underground streams that bubble through a natural gravel filter

Olympic rowing's most famous oarsman, Sir Steven Redgrave, has achieved an unbelievable five successive Olympic Gold medals, something never achieved by a British Olympian in any endurance sport.

Greenwich Park

Situated on a hilltop with impressive views across the River Thames to the Docklands and the City of London, Greenwich Park is London's oldest park and dates back to 1433. This World Heritage site is not only the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) but also the venue for all things equestrian during summer 2012. A 6km temporary cross country course will be used and spectators have the freedom to walk around the course stopping at the challenging jumps to watch the horses -so not only do the athletes and horses need to be fit, so do the spectators!

  • Equestrian sport dates back over 2,000 years, introduced by the Greeks to train their horses for war
  • Equestrianism is popular in the UK with in excess of 2 million regular riders. Team GB are regular medal winners across the disciplines - no pressure for 2012 guys!
  • To begin with, only military officers were allowed to enter the Eventing competition
  • The only Olympic sport where men and women compete on equal terms, with a four legged athlete in tow
  • 200 athletes will be competing for just six medals

A sport with a Royal connection Princess Anne was a member of the British Eventing team at the 1976 Olympics - will her daughter Zara Phillips follow in her footsteps and win a place on Team GB for 2012?

Greenwich Park

Greenwich Park will also host two Modern Pentathlon disciplines. Modern Pentathlon has been part of every Olympic Games since Stockholm 1912 and athletes compete in all five events in one day - Fencing, Swimming, Riding and the combined Running and Shooting event! Greenwich Park will be the venue for the Running and Riding and will house the outdoor temporary shooting range for the Shooting event.

  • The roots of the sport can be traced to the Ancient Pentathlon introduced at the 18th Olympiad in 708 BC by the Spartans as a method of training soldiers
  • The choice of Modern Pentathlon sports was based on the legend of a warrior who, having to convey a message to the rear of the fighting forces, had to battle on horseback with his pistol and sword. However, because his horse was killed in the process, he had to swim and run to complete his mission

Athletes are provided with horses for the riding event - they don't even get to befriend or give them a mint before they compete!