WEYMOUTH and Portland’s Olympic venue is in the running for a top international sports and leisure architectural award.

The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy has been entered in a biennial award scheme run by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS).

Over the last 22 years a total of 302 sporting and leisure facilities from 30 different countries have been recognised by the scheme.

Venues are judged on criteria such as design concept, environmental aspects and sustainability, accessibility and the quality of the design.

Chief executive of the Sailing Academy John Tweed said: “This is a very significant international architectural award for sports facilities. We understand we will have very strong competition, but it will be an enormous honour if the academy would win the IOC/IAKS Award.

“Weymouth and Portland should be proud that we are even being considered for this award and if achieved, it will be recognition of the hard work and dedication from all the parties involved with the development of WPNSA.”

The entry for the award was submitted jointly by the Sailing Academy and designers FaulknerBrowns Architects.

FaulknerBrowns design partner Neil Taylor said: “It will be fantastic if the academy wins the award.

“It will acknowledge both the architecture and operation of the academy and it would be a privilege for both the Academy and FaulknerBrowns to receive such an award.”

The winners of the award will be honoured at a prize-giving ceremony at the International Trade Fair in Cologne, Germany, in October.