Olympic and Paralympic forecasts recognised as first class

As the London 2012 Paralympic Games draw to a close this weekend, Met Office forecasters will be returning home knowing that the forecasts provided were first class after garnering widespread praise from event organisers and competitors.

2012-09-09

Rod Carr, London 2012 Field of Play Manager at Weymouth and Portland, said: "The Met Office team were first class - not only in the technical accuracy of the forecasts, but also the quality of the daily briefings and their ability to engage meaningfully with the Race Management Teams."

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The Met Office provided weather forecasts to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games organisers, for the competing athletes and their coaches and also for visitors and those responsible for the massive logistical exercise of transporting and ensuring the safety of huge numbers of visitors.

Rod Carr continued: "The International Sailing Federation and several National Team Leaders were also very complimentary about the forecast service, with several saying "it was the best met service they had ever experienced at a Games"."

Highly trained and experienced Met Office forecasters with an understanding of the sports they were forecasting for worked alongside Olympic and Paralympic Games organisers not only at Weymouth and Portland, but also at Eton Dorney and London. Our forecasters provided round-the-clock support and advice on weather conditions throughout the Games.

Cora Zillich, Venue Media Manager at the Eton Dorney rowing venue, said: "Here at Eton Dorney we have worked very closely with colleagues at the Met Office to support the race scheduling. The advice we received was absolutely spot on."

Source: UK Met Office