The Chinese team is the third national Olympic team to select St Mary’s with South Africa and Ireland already choosing to base their athletes at the institution in the build up to London 2012.

The Chinese athletes and officials will be based at the University’s Strawberry Hill campus in South West London and will have access to a wide range of sports science and medicine services. The squad will also have a Chinese chef to assist St Mary’s catering staff to prepare their meals.

Many of the endurance squad athletes have already had their first taste of training at the University by preparing on campus for this year’s London Marathon.

Professor Dick Fisher, Head of St Mary’s 2012 Preparations, was delighted to seal the deal. He said: “We are an internationally recognised centre for endurance running that has fostered the development of Mo Farah, Steph Twell, Andrew Osagie and many others, and to link up with such a powerful squad as the Chinese is not only a great honour but affirmation of all the good work that has gone on here over the years.”

Mr Zhaocai Du, Vice President and Secretary General of the Chinese Athletics Association, said: “We are very happy that our endurance squad is going to St Mary’s as we prepare for the London Olympic Games and we look forward to working with them in the future.”

St Mary’s Principal Professor Philip Esler added: “We are delighted that the Chinese have chosen St Mary’s as the Olympic base for their endurance runners and walkers and they can be assured of the highest quality of support, especially with our new sports centre coming on stream this year.”