By Duncan Mackay

Stratford_CircusAugust 30 - Japan's athletes will be based at Stratford Circus, close to the Olympic Park, during London 2012, it has been announced.


The team, who will prepare at Loughborough University in the build-up to the Olympics, will use Stratford Circus as a satellite house will be used for training, preparation, recovery, equipment maintenance, communication and the provision of light meals.

The deal with Stratford Circus, noramlly a contemporary performing arts venue located in Newham, has been arranged by Concerto Group. 

They worked with the National Agency for the Advancement of Sports and Health (NAASH) and the Japan Institute of Sports Science (JISS) who are assisting in the Japanese athletes' final preparations for London 2012, to find the venue.

The deal was officially signed at a special ceremony attended by London Mayor Boris Johnson, and Sir Robin Wales, the Mayor of Newham, who welcomed a number of guests,  including Kiyoko Ono, the President of NAASH, and Ken Okaniwa from the Japanese Embassy in London.

"We are delighted to welcome the Japanese team to Newham and wish them a happy and successful Games," said Sir Robin. 

"We have some fantastic venues, which will provide the perfect options for Games-related accommodation.

"We believe this announcement will prove a catalyst, with many other teams staying here during the Games."

Japan_NOC_sign_deal_with_Stratford_CircusOno was deligthed with the venue.

"We are very pleased to have signed an agreement with London Borough of Newham today," he said.

"Not only was the distance between Stratford Circus and the Athletes Village very attractive to us, but also what Stratford Circus, with its high quality facility, could offer to our Japanese athletes for their final preparation towards the Olympic Games was very important.

"We are grateful to Newham Council for providing us with such a fantastic facility and very much looking forward to creating the Team Japan Support Centre together."

The Concerto Group also placed the Japanese Olympic Committee into No.4 Hamilton Place - The Royal Aeronautical Society - in Mayfair as its base for London 2012, which will also be an important hub as Tokyo is bidding for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
January 2011: 
Japan swoops into Royal Aeronautical Society HQ for London 2012
May 2009: Loughborough signs deal with Japan