Indian Athletes become East Enders

46 Indian athletes are presently in London's Olympic borough, training for the World Championships in Athletics in Berlin next month. While there, they are getting a taste of the city's most diverse district

India's top athletes are having a foretaste of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer as they set up temporary home in East London close to the site. The 46 athletes, accompanied by 14 coaches and staff, are using Newham Leisure Centre as a training base while they acclimatise to the European summer before the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Berlin next month.

Mayor Sir Robin Wales commented that it's a major achievement for the borough of Newham to host a team of elite international athletes. He said: "Newham is London's most diverse borough, making it the perfect base for the Indian athletics team. We are also home to world-class training facilities, like the newly opened indoor athletics centre, which includes a 60-metre running track and specialised weights room. "Our visiting athletes will be engaging with the community while they're here. They recently attended the town show and will also be taking part in an Indian flag-raising ceremony. This is one more way in which we can demonstrate the positive effect the Olympic legacy will have on our borough."

Indian high jump champion Sahana Kumari, from Bangalore, says she thinks the facilities are very good and she likes the cool weather. She has had time to visit Oxford Street so far and her next priority is to see Tower Bridge.

Alison Gibson is a London-based freelance writer

Play time in the Olympic borough

During their stay the athletes may find time to enjoy some of London's top attractions, but here's what else there is to see and do in Newham, the Olympic borough of the city

The Olympic Park
Now that the construction of the Olympic site is well under way, it is possible to take a tour by bus, departing from Stratford Station. The tours are free of charge and take place some weekday evenings and weekends. They are very popular, so book well in advance. Bookings are already being taken for October. Tel:u00a0 0300 2012001. If you can't be there in person, visit the website https://www.london2012.com/ to watch progress on webcams.u00a0u00a0

Shop at Green Street with its different traders
u00a0
The 'Bond Street' of the East End
One of London's most unique and vibrant shopping streets is in the borough of Newham. It manages to be diverse in so many ways. It has more than 400 independent shops, a rare sight now that chain stores dominate most high streets. Almost every corner of the globe has set out its wares here, and there are prices for every pocket, whether you are looking for bargain fabric or u2014 like Cherie Blair u2014 a designer sari. The jewellery and clothes shops are dazzling, with a wide choice of Asian wedding-wear. Councillor Unmesh Desai, Newham Council's executive member for community and external affairs, says: "Our goal is for Green Street to be the brightest and best shopping area u2014 the Bond Street of the East End."
Restaurants are another draw. This is the place to find authentic cuisine that has not been compromised to suit the English palate, and some top pure vegetarian food. If you want to eat like a real East Ender though, there's always Duncans, serving traditional pie and mash and jellied eels. While shopping and eating, don't forget to take a look at Green Street's footballing past and present in the form of West Ham Stadium and the Champions Statue in celebration of England winning the World Cup in 1966.
Check out the website https://www.green-st.co.uk/ for details of shops and eateries.
u00a0
Queen's Market
Close to Upton Park Underground station this long-standing, well-loved market sells a vast range of produce at some of the lowest prices in the city. London's poorest residents have been coming here to save a few bob since Victorian times and waves of immigrants have added to its character and wares over the decades. I first heard about this market because a Scottish friend of mine buys her fish and vegetables here. She prefers "real" shopping and finds my 21st century habit of ordering groceries over the internet a source of amusement. My first visit to Queen's Market is something of an education. My attention is caught by Asian, African and Caribbean fruit and vegetables I never knew existed. I peer curiously at calaloo, gubar, karela, turia and pomelo, and make a mental note to look them up on the internet later to find out what they are. There's much more than food here. Dress material features strongly and while I am there a handbag stall attracts quite a crowd. A lively nailbar is doing a bustling trade.
Find out more about the market at the website https://www.friendsofqueensmarket.org.uk/ and https://www.newham.com/

West Ham Park
London is famous for its parks, so branch out beyond big names such as Hyde Park and Regent's Park. Newham has its own lesser-known gems, such as West Ham Park. Most of its 77 acres are flat, grassy areas, criss-crossed with tree-lined paths and well used by locals for various sports. The gardens in one corner are a lovingly tended haven of tranquility with a variety of ornamental flowerbeds and some noteworthy trees. It won an award for best park in the southeast of England in 2005.

Thames Barrier Park
This is the place to combine a visit to a park with a walk by the Thames and a view of the river's colossal flood barriers. It's a good place for families, and a friend of mine often takes her children here. A fountain and the Green Dock, with its water-themed hedge design, are popular attractions.u00a0u00a0
u00a0
Theatre
You don't have to go to the West End to experience Theatreland. Newham has its own historical stage in the form of the Theatre Royal Stratford East that was founded in 1884.
Go to https://www.stratfordeast.com/ to see what's on, read about the history and view the stunning interior.

Abbey Mills Pumping Station
I'm not saying you should give St Paul's Cathedral a miss, but you might gain more attention from people back home if you tell them you visited the "Cathedral of Sewage" instead. This is a Victorian architectural wonder in a Byzantine style by Joe Bazalgette, and included in one of the walks below.
u00a0
Take a walk
The website https://www.newham.com/ offers four walks of the area, covering Stratford, Green Street, the Royal Docks and the Three Mills. Print off a map or take a more high-tech stroll by downloading an audio tour on to your iPod or MP3 player.
u00a0
Newham City Farm
Have you ever seen a shire horse or a pygmy goat? You don't have to leave London to get a taste of the British countryside. Find directions at https://www.newham.gov.uk/.u00a0
u00a0
Soak up the multi-cultural atmosphere
This is the most diverse district in Europe, so just wandering about absorbing the atmosphere is all part of a visit.