Hackney venues will be included in the London 2012 official Guide for Pre-Games Training Camps. This means the borough could host athletes training to take part in London’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

Venues are only included in the Guide if they meet exacting international standards for training in specific Olympic and Paralympic sports. Venues in Hackney that London 2012 has recognised as meeting these standards and providing high-quality elite training facilities for Olympic athletes include Clissold and Britannia leisure centres, Hackney Marshes and Shoreditch and Haggerston parks.

Hackney’s Mayor Jules Pipe said hosting Pre-Games Training Camps benefits athletes and residents alike. He said: “As a host borough for London’s Games, we are well placed to offer a home from home to people from all over the world, with more than 100 languages spoken in Hackney and an eclectic mix of cultures. This puts us in a strong position to build excellent relationships with the Olympic and Paralympic family – competitors, supporters and visitors.

“Having top international athletes here in 2012 will be a great inspiration for the borough’s children and young people. They will see first hand what it is like to be an Olympic level competitor with local clubs making connections with teams training here. This is the kind of unique experience the Games will bring Hackney which will raise young people’s aspirations, helping them to build better futures for themselves. Our local economy will also benefit as teams training here and their supporters use local services, shops and amenities.”

Hackney venues included in the Guide will provide Olympic and Paralympic athletes with training opportunities for sports including basketball, boxing, badminton, fencing, archery, judo, taekwando and table tennis.

The Guide will be circulated to all National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and National Paralympic Committees (NOPCs). These organisations then decide where to base themselves or to send individual athletes to prepare and acclimatise for London 2012.

Hackney Council will ensure that with careful programming residents will not miss out on sport or physical activity because their local leisure facility is providing a training venue for 2012. There will be planned access to alternative venues as well as schools and clubs being able to watch some of the training sessions so they can see Olympians and Paralympians in action.

London 2012’s official venues Pre-Games Training Camps Guide will be published at the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games.