alt THE British Olympic Association (BOA) have short listed three sites that they are considering using as a training base for the 2012 Olympics and have asked them not to enter into any agreement with an overseas team.

Loughborough University, the University of Bath and Millfield School in Somerset have all been approached by the BOA as possible preparation camps.

In a letter to the three contenders, BOA chief executive Simon Clegg said site visits would be carried out in the next few months. Each site has the facilities to cope with multiple sports, including a 50 metre swimming pool.

In his letter, Clegg says: "I am pleased to inform you that you are one of the three UK listed sites which we would like to consider further for this critical multi-sport preparation role.

"We would ask you not to sign any agreement with any other National Olympic Committee until we have finalised our own process on where Team GB will prepare prior to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

"We intend to finalise our own arrangements by the end of 2007, thereby allowing plenty of time for the unsuccessful shortlisted venues to secure other users.''

The preparation camp will not be for all 26 Olympic sports - those such as rowing, sailing and track cycling which require more specialist facilities will have other arrangements.

London 2012 organisers are also compiling a list of all UK venues that wish to be considered as training camps for other countries' teams in the build-up to the Games.

The deadline for registering as a training camp venue is January 31 and London 2012 will then produce a guide for all countries competing at the Beijing Olympics next year.