Last year, the British Virgin Islands signed a Pre Games Training Camp deal with a Hertfordshire consortium involving the University, and Matthias has just spent six weeks tapping into the specialist strength, conditioning and physiotherapy support which is on offer to elite athletes at Hertfordshire Sports Village at the University in Hatfield.

Matthias, who competed in the discus event at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, is convinced that the expertise he has received at the University has already helped improve his chances of qualifying for London 2012.

He said: “I noticed some improvement in the shoulder injury that I have had after just two days of working with the physiotherapist and the strength and conditioning staff. The sports complex here is a lot more efficient compared to the system I had when I was at college in the States.”

Matthias’ coach in the UK, Malcolm Wallace, is also confident that the facilities, support and advice at the University will help his athlete qualify for London 2012.

He said: “He can’t believe the support he is getting from the University because in the US-college system athletes don’t get the same kind of support that they do in the UK. We’re hoping first to get him ready to compete in the Commonwealth Games in October and will then focus the following year on building up for 2012.”

The University’s director of sport, Nick Brooking said the University was delighted to play a part in London 2012 and help overseas athletes such as Matthias increase their chances of competing.

Brooking said: “We are really pleased to be able to help Eric with expert sports-specific physiotherapy and strength and conditioning support while he is in the UK, utilising our staff that already work with world class athletes from a range of sports.

“We are really excited about developing the partnership with the British Virgin Islands and following the support we have provided to Eric we hope to be helping more of their athletes achieve their potential at the London 2012 Games over the next two years.”

Eric Matthias is pictured with Team England physiotherapist Nicki Combarro and his coach Malcolm Wallace.