Councillor Ray Fisher (Conservative, Stratton)
- Mayor of Swindon Delighted At The News
Leisure and tourism in Swindon will be boosted by the Olympic Games.
Councillor Justin Tomlinson, Swindon Council's lead member for leisure, culture and recreation, hopes visitors will flock to the borough which is just 90 miles from the main venue in London.
He believes they will be drawn by attractions like Coate Water, Lydiard Park as well as nearby tourist spots like Avebury stone circle.
"I think Swindon is a wonderful town and has so much to offer so I'm sure everybody will work extremely hard to tap into the potential tourism boost," he said.
"I'm also expecting a huge influx of budding athletes to fill our leisure centres to the rafters."
Hotels in the town are also hoping for an increase in business.
Bertrand Dijoux, general manager, of the Marriott Hotel, in Old Town, said: "It will spill the business out of London, across to Maidenhead, and hopefully from there on to Reading, Swindon and Bristol. We can all benefit from this.
"This is very positive for both the industry and the country as a whole it really is the best thing that could have happened."
Britain's tourism industry has welcomed the successful bid with predictions that the games could be worth more than 2 billion to the visitor economy.
Tom Wright, chief executive of national tourism marketing agency, VisitBritain, said: "The IOC's decision confirms London's and Britain's places among the world's leading visitor destin-ations.
"It is as much a vote of confidence for Britain's tourism and leisure facilities as it is for our sporting venues and events.
"VisitBritain predicts that every nation and region within Britain is now likely to receive additional leisure and business visitors in the years before, during and after the games."
Matt O'Dowd, who competed in the men's marathon at Athens 2004 and is a member of Swindon Harriers athletics club, said the games would be a great deal to young athletes.
"More kids everywhere will be inspired to take up sport," he said.
Councillor Justin Tomlinson, Swindon Council's lead member for leisure, culture and recreation, said he hopes the games will help nurture a future gold medallist from the town.
"I would be extremely proud if it meant a winning athlete came from Swindon," he said.
"Although London is the successful city, the whole country will benefit from the increased emphasis on sport and physical activity in the years leading up to 2012."
"We hope that here in Swindon, we will share in those benefits making the town's population fitter and healthier."