MORE than 20 organisations have joined forces in Dorset to orchestrate the smooth running of the Sailing competition and associated events for the London 2012 Games.

The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been described in organisation and resource terms as ‘the largest single project undertaken in the UK for over 70 years.’

A series of working groups in the county, collectively known as the Weymouth and Portland 2012 Operations Group, have the responsibilities of transport, visitors, culture, health and safety, communications, safety and security and volunteering.

Key contacts for each of the groups will be bringing insight to their activities through a weekly column in the Dorset Echo.

Here Duncan Flint, Dorset 2012 Communications Officer, gives a brief insight into some of the week’s events and activities associated with Dorset, Weymouth and Portland hosting the sailing events for the London 2012 Games:

• JUST like the contrasting current weather, two very different Dorset Olympic-related activities were held and mentioned on the same day last week!

On Friday, LOCOG announced that they will stage the official 2012 Sailing test event at the Sailing Academy in the first two weeks of August 2011.

Aptly named the Weymouth and Portland International Regatta, the event, which will attract almost 900 competitors and officials, will be used to not only test the systems, processes and equipment for the Games next year, but will also be used by some nations as part of their Games qualification series.

The interesting thing about the regatta from a local perspective is that it has the potential to deliver up to £1.8million into the borough’s economy through provision of goods and services to support the event.

On the same day as LOCOG’s test announcement, 750 schoolchildren from four local schools and colleges descended upon Redlands Community Sports hub to take part in the Art of Sport Festival.

The Festival, run by RELAYS (Regional Educational Legacy for Arts and Youth Sport) with help from other local schools, and organisations, is part of the London 2012 Inspire programme.

Designed to encourage involvement in sports and the arts, the event gave the opportunity for the children to try a range of activities that they wouldn’t normally have access to as well as the chance to experience the excitement of taking part in a major festival.

Judging by the photos, a fun and sun-filled day seemed to be enjoyed by all.

And finally some news in brief: this week saw the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy host the British Marine Federation UK Superyacht AGM helping to raise the profile of the area with yet another marine audience.

In a similar vein, officers at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council showed a Belgian tourism journalist around the area and are expected to host a delegation of six German journalists next week.