Leeds has today announced that sporting giant China will use the city as its official European pre-Games training base ahead of the London 2012 Olympics.
Around 300 athletes, coaches and support staff representing China in 11 sports will be based in Leeds as they prepare and acclimatise to English conditions before heading to London for the Games, which start on 27 July next year. The majority of the athletes will be based in accommodation at the University of Leeds.
Leeds had already announced a deal in March to be the training base for the China track and field team, but Chinese Olympic officials have decided to make the city their official European pre-Games training base for their Olympic programme.
The deal has been agreed with the Chinese Olympic Committee by Leeds City Council, and is supported by The University of Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan University, with the initial direct financial benefit from hosting the team expected to be a minimum of £250,000.
The athletes coming to Leeds will be representing their country pending qualification in mountain biking, fencing, modern pentathlon, athletics, swimming, women’s water polo, women’s handball, women’s hockey, table tennis, boxing and taekwondo. Discussions are also ongoing regarding other Olympic sports.
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