12/05/2008 02:01:00
Greenwich Park, which will play host to equestrian events at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, has been dubbed "too small" by local campaigners and leading equestrian figures.
The Telegraph states that those protesting against the use of the 180-acre site at the London Olympics object claim that 20, 000 people would find it difficult to fit in the park, while many three-day equestrian events typically attract much larger crowds.
For instance, the Badminton Horse Trials, held annually in May, are traditionally set in the 1500-acre park of Badminton House in Gloucestershire, which is able to accommodate an audience of up to 250, 000 people.
As well as its size, many campaigners have expressed their concerns for the ecological and archaeological welfare of Greenwich Park, which is a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is home to vast array of historical treasures, including a herd of deer introduced by Henry VII and ancient Roman remains.
What's more, in order to prepare the site for the Olympic three-day events, Greenwich Park is likely to be inaccessible to the public for around 15 months - the longest closure of the site since it first opened in the 18th century.
Rider and Olympic Trainer, Dane Rawlins, told the Telegraph: "We shouldn't have to desecrate a jewel of London to put on a two-week horse event. The cross-country will ruin the park."
However, the newspaper states that a spokesperson for the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic Games disagreed, saying: "We think Greenwich Park will be one of the most amazing venues for the 2012 games and we believe that concerns about it being too small can be overcome."
The London games look set to transform the landscape of Britain's capital over the next few years. In March, for instance, it was revealed that the 2012 Olympic Stadium will be transformed into the largest public park to be established in the country for over a century.
The 270-acre park is expected to open in 2014, two years after the Olympics.