The deal sees Saudi Arabia become the fourth country to choose Stoke Mandeville as their training base for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London after Finland, Uganda and Papua New Guinea, who have already signed deals.

As well as top class facilities for the athletes, the legendary Stoke Mandeville Stadium is the location where the seeds of the Paralympics were sown in 1948 when Sir Ludwig Guttman organised events for World War Two veterans with spinal cord injuries who were rehabilitating at the local hospital.

Ian Seabrook, Stoke Mandeville Stadium’s Business Development Manager, said: "We are really looking forward to having the Saudi Arabian Paralympic team on site in the run up to the 2012 Games. 

"It will be fantastic to get an insight into how an international squad train and work together in preparation for such an important sporting event; something that will be an inspiration to us all. 

"We wish them every success."

Saudi Arabia made its debut in the Paralympics at Atlanta in 1996 but had to wait until Beijing in 2008 before they claimed their first medals, thanks to Osamah Alshanqiti, who won gold in the triple jump and silver in the long jump in the F12 category.

Dr Nasser Al Saleh, a member of the Saudi Arabia Paralympic Committee and secretary general of the Saudi Special Need Federation, said: "We are thrilled to have secured our training camps at Stoke Mandeville Stadium.

"The Stadium combines world class facilities with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere which we believe will only enhance our pre-training."

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