Champions event celebrates sporting contribution

The Coventry and Warwickshire Champions have highlighted the economic impact that prestigious sports events, especially cycling, can have on the local economy.

The event, held an event at Warwick School and attended by more than 150 businesses, was addressed by the CEO of SweetSpot Group, Heath Harvey, which organised the OVO Energy Women’s Tour, and the OVO Energy Tour of Britain.

He said:”The OVO Energy Women’s Tour came to Warwickshire last month; attracting massive crowds and showcasing the region to more than 98 countries world wide, including every country in Europe. The women’s tour boosted the Warwickshire economy by an incredible £2m this year.”

For the last three years the third stage of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour has started and finished in Warwickshire, and this year the men’s tour will be coming to the county for the first time on 5 September.

Harvey added:”The men’s tour is even bigger  and brings more tangible benefits. For example, each stage of the event requires 600 hotel beds and attracts almost 100,000 spectators, including tourists from outside the country. Regions across the UK realise how showcasing their areas can bring real benefits and Warwickshire have done that extremely well over the last three years, and to have both events in the county is a feather in their cap.”

Les Ratcliffe, chairman of the Coventry and Warwickshire Champions said:”The turnout for this event was amazing. We would like to give huge thanks to Warwick School for hosting us as well as everyone who was involved in the smooth running of the event. Since Coventry and Warwickshire Champions was founded in 2012, it has grown into something incredible and we are so pleased with how far we have come.”

The Champions is run by the Local Enterprise Partnership and connects businesses, organisations, alumni and individuals in the region to influence the development of the area through ideas and fresh thinking.

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