Lincolnshire2012

[divingbrit]

Loughborough University is back in the running as a training camp for Britain's Olympic athletes prior to the 2012 London Games.

Officials from the British Olympics Association (BOA) said they are now having doubts about the suitability of using Aldershot as a base to prepare the nation's elite athletes.

They initially selected the Hampshire town over Loughborough last year because its Army barracks would offer the sportsmen and women better protection against terror attacks and because it was closer to the Games' host city.

Loughborough University's director of sport Chris Earle told the Leicester Mercury at the time that he was "flabbergasted" the university was not chosen.

The BOA has, however, never signed a contract with Aldershot and it says many Olympians, some already based in Loughborough, and sports governing bodies do not want to go there.

thisisleicestershire.co.uk

BOA chief executive Andy Hunt said: "We are still going through the process with the sports and trying to understand their needs. We never actually contracted with Aldershot. We can't make the sports go there.

"The money that pays for preparation camps now sits with the sports.

"Our offering has to be attractive and the sports have to select to go to whatever preparation camp they choose. If they want to go to Aldershot they will have to choose to do so."

After failing in its initial Team GB bid Loughborough University went on to secure a lucrative deal to host Japan's Olympic squad, though a spokesman today stressed the agreement was not exclusive, leaving the door open for Team GB's athletes.

Vice-chancellor Professor Shirley Pearce said: "Loughborough University is home to the largest concentration of British athletes preparing for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

"We are proud of our close working relationship with a wide range of national sports governing bodies which will continue to 2012 and beyond.

"In May we signed an agreement with the Japanese Olympic Committee to host their athletes immediately prior to the 2012 Games and provide them with a European base for competition and preparation camps over the next three years.

"We remain absolutely committed to that partnership which will bring wide-ranging benefits to Loughborough, not just to sport but also its academic activity."

The BOA will decide on whether to stick with Aldershot or look elsewhere in the new year.

Bath University is also being considered.

Loughborough MP Andy Reed, who campaigned to get Team GB to Loughborough, said he had been involved in talks between the university and the BOA to broker some movement.

"There is a window of opportunity as the BOA reassesses its commitment to Aldershot," he said. "I will use my special relationship with the BOA to give the best chance for the university to help Team GB in the run-up to 2012.

"I have met and discussed this with the chief exec of the BOA and he is willing to talk to us about its needs."

thisisleicestershire.co.uk