The Sri Lankan team will train at the University in the summer of 2010 and possibly beyond. This could mean an opportunity for local students to watch and even be involved in training sessions with aspiring Olympians.

It’s the latest of many agreements between the University and the South Asian nation as they have worked together closely since the country was devastated by the tsunami on Boxing Day 2004. Representatives from Durham have previously worked with Sri Lanka’s Minister for Higher Education on national planning and social aspects of sports and sports science.

Deputy Director of Sport at Durham University, Dan Lewis said: “We’re delighted to be able to continue our long history of supporting elite athletes. A deal of this kind always feels worthwhile due to the prestige but it can also bring real benefits to the community.

“We’re keen to promote that the 2012 Games doesn’t just belong to London and we already have an outreach project to 50 local schools. The great fillip of this deal is that the schools will have a lot more affinity to the Games than perhaps they would have otherwise.

“We’re not sure how many athletes and staff Sri Lanka will bring yet, they took eight athletes to Beijing, but the benefit of hosting a smaller nation is that they might be willing to train with our students, which would be a tremendous experience.”

London 2012 Chief Executive, Paul Deighton said: "Being the first to sign a competing team for North East England is great news for Durham University and the surrounding areas.

"The Graham Sports Centre will help the Sri Lankan athletes train and prepare well for the 2012 Games. They are assured of a very warm welcome in North East England.

"It also gives the people of Durham a chance to get involved in the build up to the Games and potentially develop some exciting social and cultural programmes around the team’s visit."