APPENDIX 34
Memorandum submitted by the British Olympic
Association
The British Olympic Association has noted with
interest that the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee is
conducting an inquiry into "Marking the Millennium"
and in particular the development and future role of the Millennium
Dome.
With the future use of the Dome being under
consideration, the British Olympic Association was approached
by John Taylor, the Chairman of Sports Dome 2001, for support
for their project. Sports Dome 2001 is now one of the short-listed
candidates for the Dome, aiming to combine a wide range of participatory
sports facilities with elite level spectator-sport provision alongside
interactive sports education zones. The BOA, alongside a number
of organisations, agreed to support this proposal.
The Millennium Dome is also currently under
consideration as a possible location for one or more indoor sports
as part of a future London Olympic bid. The proposals by Sports
Dome 2001 revolve around a central "Sports Theatre"
which can host indoor sports with a spectator capacity of up to
15,000. This would be an important addition to the indoor facility
resources of London as a whole—providing a venue that could
host one or more Olympic sports if applicable.
It is worth pointing out that the Dome would
not be suitable as the main stadium for an Olympic Games (which
would seek to have a minimum spectator capacity of 80,000).
I would be happy to answer any further questions
that the Committee requires on the involvement of the BOA in the
proposals for Sports Dome 2001.
May 2000
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