UK Athletics (UKA) has today announced that its major domestic track and field meetings will be televised live on the BBC until well after the London Olympics and Paralympics in 2012.

Edward Leask, Chairman of The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA), is set to attend the annual Southampton City Lecture entitled: ‘Southampton and London 2012 – The challenge, the benefits and the future’ on Wednesday, 14 January 2009.

The lecture will explore the cultural, social and economic impacts of the London 2012 games on Southampton, in order to promote discussion on the ways in which the city can ensure that a positive legacy is created. The Chairman plans to attend this lecture to show his support in maximising the positive impacts of the Games along the south coast, something he has instilled at WPNSA with the assistance of John Tweed, Chief Executive, Jeremy Pope OBE, Vice Chairman Chairman and the Board of Directors including Triple Gold Medallist, Ben Ainslie.

The Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, which offers world-class facilities, will play host to the Olympic and Paralympic sailing events in 2012. It is the first Olympic venue to be completed - three years early and under budget, and includes a new 220 metre slipway, race-boat parking, lifting and mooring facilities and development of the Osprey Quay area. This construction aims to economically regenerate Portland as well having positive effects on the south coast in general, and is a model template on how sports venues can develop in an environmentally aware way so as to minimise the negative impacts on the surrounding area.

Edward Leask, Chairman of WPNSA commented ‘I am pleased to show my support to this Southampton University event and the impact of the Games along the South Coast. It is important that all of the South Coast communities benefit from the Weymouth Portland National Sailing Academy hosting the 2012 sailing events.’

ENDS