Nigeria dumps Loughborough, set to train in Surrey ahead of London 2012 Games

Top athletes from Nigeria will be based in Surrey for their preparations ahead of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.

An agreement has been signed between the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and Surrey which will see athletes representing the African nation train and stay at key sports venues across the county including the University of Surrey's Surrey Sports Park and the Guildford Spectrum, in the lead up to the Games in just over a year's time.

The NOC and the National Sports Commission (NSC), which had initially selected Loughborough University - host of British and Japanese teams - as their training camp in the build-up to London 2012, had now for logistical reasons set to move to Surrey where the Antigua Olympic Team will also be based.

Secretary General of the NOC, Tunde Popoola, said: "It's an excellent place with all modern facilities, world class coaches that will assist our coaches and athletes, and health and medical support to put them in tip-top form.

"Our number one priority is to ensure that Team Nigeria have the best possible preparation environment to be able to excel at the Games. That is why we want the best environment for them, and Surrey is ideal."

Denise Saliagopolous, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Community Services, the 2012 Games and Tourism, said: "It's fantastic news that another Olympic team is about to sign up to be based in Surrey.

"The county council has been working incredibly hard behind the scenes to sell Surrey as the best place for Olympic teams to base themselves in the run-up to and during the 2012 Games."

Paul Blanchard, Surrey Sports Park Chief Executive, said: "We are delighted to have agreed to host Nigeria here in Surrey and at Surrey Sports Park. We hope the Nigerian athletes will benefit from our world class sporting facilities and accommodation in preparing for London 2012."

Rob Price, Guildford Spectrum Marketing Manager, said: "We welcome all the Nigerian athletes, their coaching staff and supporters to Surrey and Guildford.

"The Nigerian team include world class athletes who were medal winners in Beijing and it is testament to the world class facilities we have here in Guildford and Surrey that they chose our venues."

[Additional information from the University of Surrey]