Hosting: Archery
Schedule: July 27 – Aug 3
Capacity: 6,500
Fact: the ground slopes 8ft 8in from one square boundary to the other.
Post games: the equipment used will be given to clubs and schools across the country
Test event: Oct 3-10, 2011: Archery, International Invitational
Transport: St John’s Wood (London Underground), Maida Vale (London Underground)
This is one of the more interesting choice of venues. The picturesque ‘Home of Cricket’ will receive a small makeover in 2012 to prepare it for hosting the archery event. Only a small amount of work will be needed to create an archery range on the outfield of the main ground and nursery ground.
Archery lacks the mass appeal of other Olympic events which makes its location at the home of cricket, a game unknown to many of the competing nations in the Games, rather appropriate.
The beautiful surroundings of the 197-year-old ground are conducive to lazy days in the sun and are perfectly matched with a glass of wine.
When the ground is packed to the rafters for Test matches some 28,000 spectators can watch, but for the Games the capacity will be capped at 6,500 with the archery confined to one end of the ground.
Its location, a short walk from St Johns Wood tube station, makes it ideal for spectators based in central London while its proximity to Regent’s Park and Camden Town mean fans can make a day of it around the relatively short sessions.
After the Games all of the equipment used will be given to clubs and schools across the country.