As well as training, the deal will also see Team GB's support services based at Loughborough and team members will pass through the University for the official ‘kitting out’ process. This will provide the essential opportunity to bring together the hundreds of athletes and officials into one collective unit and mentally prepare the whole of Team GB for competition at the largest scale multi-sports environment in the world.

Vice Chancellor, Professor Shirley Pearce, said: “We are delighted that Loughborough has been selected as the headquarters of Team GB’s preparation camp. The University has been the base for the preparation of around 170 British Olympians over the past 30 years, and many of the country’s 2012 contenders are already using our state-of-the-art facilities.

“Today’s announcement is confirmation that Loughborough offers the best possible Olympic preparation environment for many of Team GB’s sports.

“We’d like to thank the East Midlands Development Agency for the support that they have given us over the years to build a world leading sports environment here at Loughborough. This success will bring economic as well as sporting benefits to the East Midlands. We are also grateful to Charnwood Borough Council and Leicestershire County Council for their support in putting our bid together.”

BOA Chief Executive Andy Hunt said: “Our number one priority is to ensure that Team GB athletes have the best possible preparation environment immediately before the Games in 2012.

“We are delighted that Loughborough University will partner the BOA as Team GB’s preparation HQ. We’re confident Loughborough’s excellence in the field of sport will be of huge benefit to Team GB’s aspiration of securing fourth place in the London 2012 medal table.”

The agreement means that Loughborough University will host both Team GB and Japan in the build up to London 2012.