Brazil and Russia learn from Surrey

Surrey has been sharing its expertise in staging world class sporting events with Russia and Brazil ahead of the next winter and summer Olympic Games.

Surriya Subramaniam, Surrey County Council business development manager, gave presentations in London to visiting government and Olympics officials from the two countries, which are preparing for the winter Games in Sochi 2014 and the summer Games in Rio 2016.

Mr Subramaniam described how Surrey staged the 2012 Games cycling road races and time trials. He also discussed how the county council helped local businesses benefit from the Games and how public services were kept running amid the disruption of staging world class sporting events.

Mr Subramaniam said: “It may seem a long time before Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 take place, but be assured that time will fly by. In Surrey, years of planning went into staging the events and that preparation was key to their overwhelming success. This could not have happened without the county council forming a strong team with the police, local councils, sports venues and Olympic organisers.

“We supported Surrey businesses as they went on to win more than £800 million worth of Olympic-related contracts. And we worked with sporting venues to attract around 30 teams to pre-Games training camps in the county, helping the local economy.

“I also spoke about the mammoth traffic management operation involved in staging a world class cycling event on some of Britain’s busiest roads. It was great to pass on Surrey’s knowledge and expertise and I hope it helps Russia and Brazil stage hugely successful Games.”

ENDS

Media requiring more information can contact Surrey County Council senior media relations officer James Oxley at james.oxley@surreycc.gov.uk.