They met the Sheffield City Council leader Paul Scriven, Sheffield Central MP and former Sports Minister Richard Caborn, representatives from Sheffield International Venues, Sheffield United, Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Sheffield, Yorkshire Forward, Sport England and Leeds City Council.

 

The group saw first hand many of the world class sport facilities including the English Institute of Sport - Sheffield and Ponds Forge, as well as the city’s impressive business, cultural and educational offer.

 

Brazil’s visit follows-on from interest from Canada and China in bringing their sportsmen and women to the city in preparation for the London games.

 

Scriven said: “I think the Brazilians went away recognising that sport is important to Sheffield and local people.

 

"They were impressed with our facilities, particularly those for the indoor sports.

 

“But they also recognised the warmth of the Yorkshire people and how, in the city, we could make a real difference through our sporting support services, educational opportunities, and infrastructure.

 

"The visit opened up relations and a dialogue to hopefully progress this opportunity to a successful conclusion."

 

Sheffield International Venues chief executive Steve Brailey said: “This was an opportunity to promote our facilities as centres of sporting excellence, ideal for training camps for a range of Olympic sports.”

 

Yuri Matischen, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce junior vice-0resident and managing director of Sheffield-based MLS, which managed the visit on behalf of the Sheffield 2012 Programme Group, was similarly positive.

 

He said: “This was the latest stage in links with the South American country which stretch back to the visit of Pele to Sheffield United in 2007.

 

“We had the opportunity to talk in depth to the Brazilians about the sporting offer of the city region - including elsewhere in Yorkshire - as well the platform it may provide for business opportunities and cultural exchanges.”

 

Brazil first participated at the Olympics in Antwerp in 1920, and has sent athletes to compete in every Games since then, except for the 1928 Games in Amsterdam.

 

They have won a total of 91 medals, including 20 gold.

 

In Beijing they won 15 medals, three of which were gold, including the women's volleyball title.

 

They sent 277 athletes, their largest ever Olympic delegation, including a record 132 women.

 

David Curtis, special projects manager for the Centre for Sport and Exercise Science at Sheffield Hallam University added: "The delegation wanted to find out more about the unique blend of specialist research and top class facilities that Sheffield Hallam can offer elite athletes.

 

"We are experienced in working with world class athletes and the group were keen to explore ways that we could work together both for 2012 and more broadly."

 

Sheffield United, who enjoy footballing partnership links with the renowned Brazilian team Sao Paulo, hosted a dinner at their Bramall Lane stadium.

 

The Brazilian delegation received special 2012 shirts from the Championship club.