Sailing rivals use Olympic venue

Plans to update Weymouth seafront before the Games will go ahead

The hosts of the 2012 Olympic Games sailing events are to open up their Dorset venue to Britain's rivals.

The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) has revealed international competitors will be able to use the facilities upon request.

Packages will be available for an annual or three-year usage but will not clash with the British team's schedule.

Weymouth and Portland will play host to the sailing events for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Funding withdrawn

John Tweed, chief executive, said availability would be on a "first come first served basis".

He said: "This is the first time in a long time that the Olympic venue itself has been available to Olympic teams prior to the event.

"We do not have all that much recent experience as to demand but we are having a lot of international teams approaching us for access.

"It will be on a first come first served basis - it really depends on what sort of requirements each team needs."

A major £2m improvement plan to update Weymouth seafront before the 2012 Olympics is set to go ahead despite funding being withdrawn.