The South West played a significant part in ensuring that the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games were awarded to London, because we believed in the transformational effect of the Games and were utterly confident that the region has all of the necessary attributes to play a key role on the road to the London 2012 Games.  
 
The South West is the perfect place for all kinds of sporting activity, and we have some of the best multi-sport training venues in the UK. 
 
But of course it's not just about sport. Tourism is in our blood. We know how to provide a warm welcome for visitors and how to ensure they get the most from their stay. Most things that lay seed in the South West grow, and our hospitality and cultural sector is no exception. 
 
However the region is much more than a place to relax. Businesses of all sectors and sizes thrive, benefiting from our entrepreneurial flair and capitalising on the creative spirit that pervades everything that we do. 
 
We're equipped to stage world class events and we have a highly skilled community that is passionate and committed to being involved; whether in volunteering, cultural or sporting events. With fast and reliable transport links into London, we are ideally placed to ensure that our athletes and international visitors relish their memories of the region. We have all of the building blocks to achieve a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Games.

Team South West

The South West of England Regional Development Agency (South West RDA) and Sport England South West were tasked by the Government and the London 2012 Organising Committee to establish the right networks through which all central communication and planning could take place. This led to the development of a fully dedicated and functioning South West England 2012 Directorate. 
 
Together with our partners we have created Team South West, an innovative, responsive team who will work to ensure that we deliver real benefits from the Games.  
 
Regional engagement with the London 2012 Organising Committee takes place through the Nations and Regions Group, and through the South West RDA into the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The result is direct involvement - the South West's voice is heard in London and first hand knowledge and involvement in national planning is secured.

The role of Team South West is to: 
 
'Maximise the business, sporting, cultural and social opportunities to deliver a lasting and discernible legacy from the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.'

Working closely with Team South West are the seven County Working Groups (in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Dorset and the West of England) which lead on sub regional activity, developing plans and delivering projects in their locality inspired by the Games.