Ricoh Arena to host Olympic football matches

COVENTRY’S Ricoh Arena has been chosen as the Midlands venue to host some of the 2012 Olympic football matches.

The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) selected the venue after Villa Park was ruled out because of scheduled building work.

The Ricoh joins Wembley, Old Trafford, Hampden Park, Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium and Newcastle’s St James’s Park as designated venues for the 2012 event.

The move could mean a multi-million pound pay-day for the city as fans from around the world visit to watch the games.

The venue will be temporarily re-named the City of Coventry Stadium for the duration of the London Games to resolve any sponsorship complications.

Lord Coe, LOCOG chairman, said: “The City of Coventry Stadium is a great venue, and will be an excellent host for Football matches for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

“It is ideally located in the centre of England and the city already has strong links with London 2012. I congratulate Coventry and extend my thanks to all the Midlands clubs who applied to be a venue. All were a very good standard, and this shows the excellent standards of football stadia in this country.”

Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is fantastic news for the Ricoh Arena and for Coventry and Warwickshire as a whole.

“The Olympics is the largest sporting event in the world and to be hosting part of the event on our doorstep should act as a massive boost to the region.

“The economic benefits it will bring to Coventry and Warwickshire will be substantial but it will also act as a window for the city to showcase itself to the world.”

She said the chamber had urged businesses to prepare for London 2012 but with this announcement, proper preparation became even more crucial.

Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and the Olympics, said: “Sitting at the heart of the Midlands, the City of Coventry Stadium is ideally located for thousands of people to come and watch the London 2012 football competition and be inspired to get involved in sport.”

Daniel Gidney, chief executive of the Ricoh Arena, said: “We are looking forward enormously to staging Olympic football in Coventry.  This is a great honour and we are proud to be involved with the Games.  

“We have worked hard over the last few months to prepare our bid and I would like to thank all our partners and organisations involved for their support.”

David Moorcroft, chairman of the West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games said: “It is fantastic news that the City of Coventry Stadium will host the Football tournament taking place as part of London 2012.  

“It is a real boost for the region and for Coventry as it will bring real economic benefit as the Olympic teams and their fans visit the city.  Personally, as I am Coventry born and bred, I am delighted to see my home city identified as a venue and look forward to experiencing part of the 2012 Games as it takes place on my doorstep.”

Martin Reeves, chief executive of Coventry City Council, said: “2012 promises to be an outstanding year for the city.  As well as the Olympic and Paralympic Games, we’ll be marking the 50th anniversary of the consecration of Coventry Cathedral, and there’s an important link between the city’s strong message of peace and reconciliation symbolised by the Cathedral, and the spirit of respect, fairness and sporting competition.”