Lord’s cricket ground ready to host archery at 2012 Olympics - Council expected to approve plans to transform iconic venue

Published: 03 September 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

THE sound of leather on willow will make way for the whistle of arrows at Lord’s cricket ground when the world’s best archers descend on St John’s Wood during the Olympics.

Last night (Thursday), Westminster Council were expected to approve plans to transform the home of cricket into a temporary archery field during the Games in the summer of 2012.

Temporary stands for around 5,000 fans will be erected on the famous outfield, with archers shooting over the square towards the media centre.

Sessions will run from 9am to 6pm in the week from July 27 to August 3, and the ground will host a “dry run” event in October 2011.

A report seen by members of the council’s planning committee says: “Lord’s provides an unparalleled opportunity to create a very special Olympic archery event. The International Archery Federation (FITA) has hosted archery at numerous historical and iconic venues worldwide. Examples include the Panathinaikos Stadium in Athens  2004 and the Mayan pyramids in Mexico 2006. We see Lord’s as a venue which carries on this tradition. The combination of existing facilities and temporary structures will work within the site constraints and gives an opportunity to create another iconic Olympic Games venue.”

The MCC continue to look at alternative sports they can potentially host after Lord’s failed in its bid to host a second Test match in 2012. Due to falling revenues, officials are considering hosting a pre-Wimbledon grass court tennis event and bowls competition at the Nursery End.