The college is one of the country’s premier equestrian venues and has been approved as a training centre to host international teams and individuals in the run-up to London 2012. Lord Coe also had the opportunity to meet several Devonshire athletes hoping to compete in the Games including Andrei Burton, Britain’s top mountain bike trials rider. 

Lord Coe explained: “The visit to Devon demonstrated much of what we wanted the Games to be when we bid for them – the marriage of sport, culture and education. The projects I saw have taken the Games and used them to reach young people and inspire change in their lives. I’m thrilled that the region has seen the opportunities offered by London 2012 and is grabbing them with both hands.”

Guy Lavender, South West England Director for the 2012 Games who leads the regional partnership ‘Team South West’, added: “The London 2012 Games are not just about sport, they are about transforming people’s lives and revitalising communities.

“Seb’s visit to the South West has enabled him to see firsthand how committed we are to making the London 2012 Games a huge success. The Games represents the single most important opportunity in our lifetime to build on the strengths of the region, involve whole communities, increase participation in sports and inspire young people to be the very best they can be.”