Discussions are now under way to finalise the detail of the arrangement, the centre piece of which is athletics. Sonia O’Sullivan, who is the Chef de Mission of the Irish Olympic team, lived in nearby Teddington and trained at St Mary’s for many years as well making use of the sport science and sport medicine services there.

Apart from the cultural links, central to the choice of St Mary’s was the package of on-site training and support services. The track has recently been resurfaced and the new sports centre scheduled for opening in June 2011 contains an extensive strength and conditioning area including 10 weightlifting platforms.

The new configuration of sport science and sport medicine services includes physiological monitoring in an environmentally adaptable laboratory, a sports injury clinic and three sport rehabilitation suites. It is quite likely that other Irish squads will accompany the athletics team to SW London, including cycling,canoeing and triathlon who are also considering St Mary’s as a training camp.

Dr Stephen Martin MBE, Chief Executive Olympic Council of Ireland, said: "We have made several visits with a number of sports and Institute of Sport officials. They have been impressed with the facilities and support services available at St Mary’s and believe that it’s an ideal pre-Games venue.”

Professor Dick Fisher, Head of St Mary’s 2012 Preparations said: "St Mary’s has very strong academic and sporting links with Ireland and we are delighted to be hosting some of their squads in 2011 and 2012. Our aim is to give them full support and every opportunity to achieve their targets."