Province of East Flanders

EAST FLANDERS: TOP-LEVEL SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE

In 2012 all eyes will be on London, the city hosting the Olympics and Paralympics. Top sports delegations all over the world must soon choose where the camp the next 2 years to prepare themselves for the Games and to acclimate.

The province of East Flanders, only a 2-hour trip away from Great Britain, has a great deal of experience in organising sports events and will provide sportspeople with the best equipment in the most appropriate environment. In other words, the Games will be held right next door. Our region provides athletes with the possibility of preparing themselves in all tranquillity in an exceptional environment, in addition to a number of cities with a valuable heritage.

That is why a top-level sports infrastructure has been provided for , at 12 locations in East Flanders. The Olympics have been fascinating sports enthusiasts since time immemorial and we hope to benefit from their fascination in our region. Especially because the next edition will take place in our neighbourhood. This allows athletes to adapt to the rather humid North Sea climate.

It is our ambition to present a high-quality offering to the various sports delegations: a high-quality renovated sports infrastructure, high-quality transport network near London and Paris, as well as an extensive infraregional road and railway network, plus a large choice of accommodations, facilities for disabled athletes, a high-level medical network and places to recover and relax.

Hilde Bruggeman, sports deputy