Olympic Games cycling road race to pass hospital

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital will form part of the backdrop to one of the most high profile events in next year’s Olympic Games.

The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) has announced that the route for the men’s and women’s cycling road races—scheduled for the first and second days of the Olympics—will include Fulham Road from South Kensington to Putney Bridge.

The races will start and finish on The Mall and the riders will race around a course that passes through six London boroughs as well as areas of Surrey.

Seb Coe, Chair of LOCOG says: “This extends the Games into South West London and Surrey. Following our medal success in Beijing, the Road Cycling events really will bring the magic of the Games to life for many thousands of spectators.”

Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and the Olympics adds: “The road race is one of the first major events of London 2012 and will be followed closely by supporters looking for a home medal. I am, therefore, delighted that it will showcase many of our great landmarks and countryside and that big crowds will be able to watch it live.”

There will be a road race test event following the same route on Saturday 14 August this year—further details will be communicated to patients, the public and staff as soon as we know how this test event will affect access to the hospital and the surrounding area.