Last Monday the EJU OTC – Going for Gold – Training Centre in Tata (HUN) was opened by EJU Head Sports Director Densign White.
There are 210 athletes present from 18 countries including Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech republic, France, Belgium, Turkey, Algeria, Serbia, Kosovo, Greece, Ireland, Poland and Hungary.
Many teams are in Tata who were in Japan and had to cut their trip short because of the earthquake and there are many interesting stories from the coaches about their struggles to escape the problems there.
Tata is the third OTC Going for Gold Training facility that has been organized by the EJU. Four more training camps will follow to facilitate European athletes the best possible chances to medal at the London Olympic Games in 2012.
HSD Densign White: “Of course some of the athletes who were also in Nymburk (CZE) are getting tired now but everybody is enjoying the camp it’s a great setting near a lake and there are excellent facilities for swimming, sauna and fully kitted out gym.”
Besides the hard training athletes can enjoy the restaurant that is serving very good food and the rooms are very comfortable.
White opened the camp on the second day on Tuesday and also presented the 2010 European male athlete plaque to Ilias Iliadis. Best female athlete of last year was Lucie Decosse.
Besides the top three European athletes in the IJF World Ranking, the EJU decided earlier to support some other athletes who have chances to medal in London or athletes from small countries with limited resources. You can find the list below.
Next OTC will be held from 10 until 25 May in Orenburg (RUS).