Thailand signs up for Olympic training sites

[Mid]

Thailand signs up for Olympic training sites

14 November 2008

Thailand has become the first country to sign up to use training facilities in the North West ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Sports Authority of Thailand and the National Olympic Committee of Thailand have signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Manchester's World Academy of Sport, the Northwest Regional Development Agency and Manchester City Council.

A similar agreement has also been signed by 15 Pacific Island countries to use facilities.

As part of the agreement the World Academy of Sport, based at the Manchester Business School, will help to develop education programmes for sports authorities in Thailand including Sports Event Management courses.

London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said: "This is great news for the north west of England.

"It is very encouraging to see Thailand signing up to use pre-Games training camps in the region already.

"We know that Manchester has excellent sporting facilities and I am sure that athletes will be given a great welcome."

pendletoday.co.uk

[keda]

Don't worry, they'll bounce right off the Mancs.