The decision to stage the Olympics in London could have a massive spin-off for Norfolk in boosting the county's coffers and raising its national profile. The Sportspark in Norwich could be used as a training base for teams ahead of the games with its Olympic-sized pool and international class athletics track. The city is perfectly placed as a training camp as it shares a good rail link with the proposed Olympic park at Stratford in East London. Roger Fennemore, from the East Regional Sports Board, was one of the people waiting at the Sportspark to hear the decision for the 2012 venue.
 | | Framingham Earl pupils test the track |
"It's absolutely fantastic, the best news we could have had for sport in this country, it's so emotional," he said. "Like everybody else, I thought Paris was the front runner, but it's fantastic news," he added. Mr Fennemore has been involved with the region's bid to help attract the Olympics to Britain and he said the London announcement will be important to East Anglia as a whole. "I think it will mean more than we can imagine at the moment. It will clearly put us on the map in terms of tourism, and the commercial opportunities will be enormous," he said. However, he was keen to stress that the real legacy will lie at youngsters' feet. "It's for the next generation of kids, they will be motivated, they will start taking part in sport, it will be immense for our communities," said Mr Fennemore. He also said the prospect of international teams training in Norwich is exciting. "If we can get athletes here in Norwich it will impress a lot of people, and also generate a lot of interest in the commercial world. "It really is fantastic," he said. "I can’t impress upon you how important this is for this generation." | 
