Olympic call up for University

The University has been included within the official London 2012 Pre-Games Training Camp Guide, opening up Dundee as a potential training venue for athletes preparing for the Olympics.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) announced the list of accredited centres which will be able to host athletes last month.

The University was included for the Olympic sports of Archery, Boxing, Fencing, Judo, Taekwondo, Weightlifting and Wrestling. It is already in early-stage negotiations with countries preparing their pre-2012 schedules.

"The University is delighted to be included within the official London 2012 Pre Games Training Camp Guide," said ISE Director Brian Ewing.

"We are confident that the University, and indeed the City of Dundee, will create an exceptional environment for any country wishing to establish their Pre-Games Training Camps here.

"The wonderful training facilities along with the hospitality of the City will help create an outstanding training environment for elite athletes as they prepare to perform on the highest sporting stage."

Mr Ewing said the successful application to be an accredited training camp venue for the Games had been boosted by the University's investment in sporting facilities and the experience of academic and research staff at the institution, particularly in the area of supporting `performance sport'.

"The success of our application reflects on the quality and extent of our facilities," he said. "The University has made a major investment in extending the ISE and we now have one of the best facilities in the country. That is supported by the extensive experience of the staff of the ISE is supporting Performance Sport, and by the wider expertise of academic and research staff across a number of disciplines at the University.

"We can offer not only excellent sporting facilities but quality living accommodation and first-class medical support as well."