Chinese Olympic officials have selected Leeds as the countrys official training base ahead of the London 2012 Games.
The Parkinson building at the University of Leeds
Athletes will be housed in student accommodation at the University Of Leeds
Leeds will be the temporary home of around 300 athletes, coaches and support staff representing China in at least 11 sports as they acclimatise to English conditions.
The track and field team had already announced Leeds would be their training base, and now Chinese Olympic officials have followed suit.
The deal agreed with Leeds City Council, the University of Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan University will see them benefit by at least £250,000.
Student accommodation at the University of Leeds will be used to house the athletes and sports facilities at both universities will act as training grounds.
London Olympics
Leeds Metropolitan University Vice-Chancellor Professor Susan Price said: "Our university has been associated with sporting excellence for many years.
"We share many of the values associated with the Olympics, such as respect, friendship and excellence, and we very much look forward to working with our partners in the city on this important initiative which will bring a massive boost for our region."
Representing their country in a number of sports, including fencing, athletics, mountain biking and table tennis, the athletes will also be travelling as far as Dalby Forset and Bishop Burton to train.
China topped the medal tables at the Beijing Games in 2008, winning 100 medals in all, 51 of them gold.
Liu Xiang
Hurdler Liu Xiang is among the favourites to win gold in 2012
The deal between Leeds and China is expected to provide a major boost to trade, commerce and tourism in the area, as well as strengthening cultural ties between Yorkshire, the UK and China.
The West Yorkshire city has for the past 23 years enjoyed a sister city agreement with the Chinese city of Hangzhou in the Zhejiang Province.
Leeds City Council leader Keith Wakefield said: "This is an historic and magnificent achievement for Leeds.
"For China to choose Leeds as their official pre-Games European base is a phenomenal honor and its effect will go way beyond the financial benefit or simply raising the profile of our city."
As well as China, Leeds will also be hosting athletes from the USA, Serbia, Canada and Holland.
This is fantastic for Leeds and we look forward to receiving our friends!!
The Parkinson building at the University of Leeds
Athletes will be housed in student accommodation at the University Of Leeds
Leeds will be the temporary home of around 300 athletes, coaches and support staff representing China in at least 11 sports as they acclimatise to English conditions.
The track and field team had already announced Leeds would be their training base, and now Chinese Olympic officials have followed suit.
The deal agreed with Leeds City Council, the University of Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan University will see them benefit by at least £250,000.
Student accommodation at the University of Leeds will be used to house the athletes and sports facilities at both universities will act as training grounds.
London Olympics
Leeds Metropolitan University Vice-Chancellor Professor Susan Price said: "Our university has been associated with sporting excellence for many years.
"We share many of the values associated with the Olympics, such as respect, friendship and excellence, and we very much look forward to working with our partners in the city on this important initiative which will bring a massive boost for our region."
Representing their country in a number of sports, including fencing, athletics, mountain biking and table tennis, the athletes will also be travelling as far as Dalby Forset and Bishop Burton to train.
China topped the medal tables at the Beijing Games in 2008, winning 100 medals in all, 51 of them gold.
Liu Xiang
Hurdler Liu Xiang is among the favourites to win gold in 2012
The deal between Leeds and China is expected to provide a major boost to trade, commerce and tourism in the area, as well as strengthening cultural ties between Yorkshire, the UK and China.
The West Yorkshire city has for the past 23 years enjoyed a sister city agreement with the Chinese city of Hangzhou in the Zhejiang Province.
Leeds City Council leader Keith Wakefield said: "This is an historic and magnificent achievement for Leeds.
"For China to choose Leeds as their official pre-Games European base is a phenomenal honor and its effect will go way beyond the financial benefit or simply raising the profile of our city."
As well as China, Leeds will also be hosting athletes from the USA, Serbia, Canada and Holland.
This is fantastic for Leeds and we look forward to receiving our friends!!
