But London today confirmed that financial grants totalling around £9 million will be made available to encourage overseas Olympic and Paralympic teams to use pre-Games training camps in the United Kingdom to prepare for the 2012 Games.
 
The grant scheme will enable all 203 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and the 161 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) to apply for credit of up to £26,000 towards the cost of preparing their athletes at UK designated pre-Games training camps.

Organisers claimed the scheme highlights London 2012’s commitment to provide the best possible conditions for athletes at the Games as outlined in its Bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

“We have always been serious when we said that we wanted the London 2012 Games to be the sporting experience of a lifetime for all competing athletes,” said Coe, London's chairman. 

“Our grant plan is one example, but an important one, of how we plan to honour that pledge and place the welfare of athletes at the very heart of planning for the Games. That is our commitment to the world’s athletes and we won’t let them or their countries down."

The grants will encourage National Olympic and Paralympic Committees to train in the UK rather than abroad, and reflects bid commitments to maximise Games-related benefits for London and the UK.

“For many visiting athletes, the regional training camps will provide the first experience of the people, places and cultures of the UK as they prepare for 2012 Games. This represents a very special opportunity for us all to reach out and welcome the world’s athletes to the UK, to showcase our towns, cities, regions and nations and form friendships that will last a lifetime and bring us all closer together through sport, in the true Olympic spirit,” Coe said.

 “The UK’s cultural diversity, passion for sport and range of regional sporting facilities will provide an ideal pre-Games environment for the world’s best athletes."

The scheme recognises the important role played by National Olympic and Paralympic Committees in preparing teams for Games competition and the importance of pre-Games training camps in helping athletes perform at their best, claimed Coe.
 
“The grants will be allocated fairly and equitably and will be given to off-set the cost of essential services such as facility use,” said Debbie Jevans, Director of Sport at the London 2012 Organising Committee. 

 “The grants will help athletes from smaller nations who would not otherwise have the financial resources to use pre-Games training camps. This will enhance the Games experience for athletes from all nations.”  

Grants will only be awarded to visiting teams that use approved UK training camps that feature in the Pre-Games Training Camp Guide to be issued in 2008. “Facilities wishing to be part of this Guide should register details of their local sporting and accommodation facilities and other relevant support services as soon as possible at www.london2012.com/trainingcamps so that they can be considered for inclusion,” Jevans said.