For five sessions on these three days, the lido will be closed to the public while the swimming team is put through their final preparations for the Paralympic Games, which begin on 29 August:

Members of the public will be required to vacate the pool half-an-hour before those sessions start. When the Lido is closed people can use Britannia, Kings Hall and Clissold Leisure Centre's pools.

“We are thrilled to have the use of a venue of this caliber in the lead up to the 2012 Paralympic Games competition,” said Julie O’Neill, Team Leader, Sport Performance, United States Olympic Committee (USOC). “We hope the training support from this facility will translate to seeing many of our athletes on the podium during the Games.”

Hackney Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Culture, Cllr Jonathan McShane said: “This is great news for Hackney and testament to the quality of the Lido and its facilities. I hope that having these inspirational athletes training in our Lido will have a positive affect on local people, especially the younger generation by encouraging all abilities to get involved with sport.

"I’m proud that the Council is now at the beginning of an on-going relationship with USOC, that I’m sure will benefit local communities for years to come.”

On 27 August, 30 guests from Hackney’s London Fields Lido User group and Clissold Swimming Club have been invited to an open training session, with a chance to meet the athletes afterwards; the USOC will provide coaching expertise for local children of all abilities and young people will also get the opportunity to attend Olympic training camps at US Olympic headquarters in the US, details of this will be finalised over the coming months, and further announcements will be made.

Hackney Council has been working closely with the USOC and fully intend this to be the start of an ongoing relationship that will see further benefits for Hackney.