Malaysian athletes will train at the University of Bath across a range of sports in the build-up to the 2012 Games as well as the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow whilst some Bath-based athletes could also have the opportunity to train in Malaysia.

Professor Breakwell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath, was delighted by the agreement. She said: “The University of Bath prides itself on its international outlook and profile, and on the strong collaborations it builds across the globe. More than a quarter of students who choose to study at the University of Bath come from outside the UK.”

The Honourable Dato’ Razali Ibrahim, Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, said the agreement is wider than sport. He said: “I’m looking forward to mutual work between the two parties. We will share whatever we can.

“For Malaysian students this is a good university as far as sports are concerned but education and sports play a close relationship. You can be a good sportsperson but you also need to have a good education.”

Stephen Baddeley, the new Director of Sport at the University of Bath, said: “We have the most vibrant and dynamic training village in the country here in Bath. Having the Malaysian Olympic and Commonwealth Games teams here will add to that environment. Sport is the foundation, but it is only the starting point for a much wider relationship.”

And Caryn Hoh May Ling, Chair of the University of Bath’s Malaysian and Singaporean Society, added: “On behalf of Malaysian students in Bath I would like to express how excited we are at having the Malaysian team training in Bath.

“I feel at home in Bath, it’s a really friendly place. Hopefully the national team will feel at home here and enjoy their time here too. I’m sure they will.”