Ricoh Arena Chosen To Host 2012 Football

The Ricoh Arena, the home of Championship club Coventry City, has been selected as the new Midlands venue to host Olympic football matches in 2012.

The venue will be temporarily re-named the City of Coventry Stadium for the London 2012 Olympic Games and all other branding will be removed at Games time.

The Stadium replaces Villa Park which was ruled out because of planned building development work.

Several businesses in the region have also been awarded London 2012-related contracts.

There is also a project underway in Coventry called ‘Godiva Awakes’ which is commissioned through Artists Taking the Lead, and forms part of London 2012’s Cultural Olympiad and is funded by Arts Council England.

A 10 metre high Lady Godiva will be created, and she will awake from her sleeping chamber in July 2012 to a spectacular performance.

Powered by 50 cyclists, Godiva will then journey to London to play a part in the all the celebrations.