The YHA is chuffed that the Olympics are coming to London, but not for the reasons you might think. Gold medal that press office for being quick out of the blocks eh...
The gold medal for quick off the mark, slightly tenuous, London
2012 press releases goes to the YHA for yesterday's missive titled
'London 2012 A REal Boost For YHA'.
Our first thought was that the YHA was going to be accommodating
international athletes complete with sheet sleeping bags and DIY
breakfast arrangements, then we thought maybe the capital's YHA's
would be charging 200 quid a night for the duration of the games.
The reality is that the release spotlights the YHA's residential
summer activity camps during which, we're assured, some 10,000
youngsters aged from 11 to 17, will be 'urged to target the Olympics
in 2012'.
"Around 10,000 youngsters from across England will embark on our
week-long summer camps in the next three months with the majority
taking part in sporting activities." Said YHA chief executive Roger
Clarke.
"Sailing, canoeing, hockey, netball, badminton and judo are just a
few of the sports that will form part of our coaching programme - and
will feature in the Games in 2012.
"All those taking part this summer will be old enough to be in the
GB Olympic team competing on home soil in seven year's time and this
news gives them the ultimate goal to strive for."
Okay, so we're being a bit cynical. The Do it 4 Real - down with
da kidz - programme has financial backing from the Big Lottery Fund
and is undoubtedly a good thing, since it might, in time, prevent
youth hostels being taken over entirely by the older generation
;-)
As an afterthought, the YHA also acknowledges that the Olympics
will also bring an influx of overseas tourists to London's eight
London hostels and forecasts a bumper summer. So you'd better book
now...
More YHA information at www.yha.org.uk
where you can also find details of Do it 4 Real. Boomcasha, ooops.
