Colin Moynihan, the chairman of the BOA, signed the agreement with Hamad Al-Thani at the Amiri Diwan - the Royal Court - which includes a wide range of mutually beneficial areas of agreement, including coperation in the development of high performance sport and the promotion of the Olympic Movement.

Under the agreement, which remains in effect until the end of 2012 with the option of an additional three years, cooperation with their National Sports Federations, the BOA and QOC also agreed to share information relating to best practice in sports administration and discuss opportunities for relevant exchanges schemes and to work out to stamp out drug abuse.

"We welcome this opportunity for joint collaboration with the Qatar Olympic Committee," said Moynihan.

"Following our meetings today, details of specific areas of cooperation will be discussed between both National Olympic Committees over the coming months.

"Given his strong interest in sport, we appreciate the backing given to this initiative by the Prime Minister, David Cameron MP who attended the signing ceremony here today.

"With the London 2012 Olympic Games fast approaching we are entering the most exciting period in our history as a National Olympic Committee.

"I welcomed the opportunity to share some of our experiences with our colleagues in Qatar, who have themselves embarked upon their own journey to prepare to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022."

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