THE North East has secured two agreements with international Olympic teams to host athletes in the run-up to the London 2012 Games.

Durham University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka to use its sports facilities, becoming the first North East institution to secure an agreement of this kind with an international team.

Similarly, One North East, supported by former world champion boxer Glenn McCrory, the British Chamber of Commerce in Colombia and Sport England, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Colombian National Olympic Committee which sets the scene for exclusive discussions between the North East and Colombia to identify which of the region’s 20 Pre-Games Training Camps, which includes Durham University, would be suited to help their athletes prime for medal successes in 2012.

Dan Lewis, Deputy Director of Sport at Durham University, said: “We do a lot of work with local communities in Sri Lanka since the tsunami and we are always keen to strengthen further these links.

“Our students and partners will no doubt benefit from sharing the facilities with the Olympic athletes – feeling more closely connected to, and part of, the Olympics as a result.

“The planned facility developments over the next 18 months will further strengthen our resource to fulfill the needs of both our own world-class athletes and those visiting.”

Judith Rasmussen, regional strategic lead for Sport England North East, added: “This is fantastic news for North East England. We have excellent facilities and support services that can provide world-class training opportunities before the teams go off to the Olympic village.”

:: To find your nearest Pre-Games Training Camp venue visit www.london2012.com/PGTC

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