Preparations are already under way to make the most of the benefits for the West of England from the Olympic Games being held in London in 2012.

Bristol University is one of the leading institutions to have joined forces with other organisations in the area to form the West of England Working Group for the 2012 Games.  The group will become an integral part of the South West’s strategy to maximise opportunities offered by the world’s biggest sporting event.

The group, which consists of four local authorities, two Universities, including Bristol, together with Business West and the West of England Sport Trust, will stage its public launch in front of an invited audience today, Monday, July 10. 

Business, sporting and community leaders will have a chance to hear from Guy Lavender, the South West’s Director for the 2012 Games and get a flavour of the range of opportunities the Olympics will bring.

Bob Reeves, Director Sport, Exercise and Health, Bristol University said: “A West of England Steering 2012 Group is in place to set about maximizing the many opportunities that might arise in relation to London's hosting of the Olympic Games. This body includes all the major stakeholders in sport and related matters in the region. It is of great importance that the University of Bristol is one of the members and it reflects on the contribution we make not only in the University but in the community at large. We are delighted to be hosting the 'Lighting the Flame' event, this being the first of what will be many events over the coming years that will communicate what is happening, what is going to happen and how people might become involved.”