By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

September 10 - Sheffield has pulled off another coup with the announcement that the Brazilian judo team is to base itself in the city during the build-up to the London 2012 Olympics.



The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) says it has has reached an agreement with officials from the Yorkshire city to take the Brazilian athletes and their support team to the city in the final days ahead of the Olympics.

The decision follows a three-day visit to Britain from the COB, led by High Performance Director Jose Roberto Perillier, to inspect preparations for London 2012.

"The trip was a success," said Marcus Vinicius Freire, the Sports Executive Superintendent for the COB.

"In addition to defining the first local acclimatisation Team Brazil, cemented our relationship with LOCOG, through meetings that were key and will serve to improve the planning of the COB for the 2012 Olympics.

"We saw the Olympic Village and we could see the progress of the construction of all sports facilities.

"I'm sure that London will be memorable Games."

The COB also held talks with four other British cities about basing a number of its other teams in.

It has also established plans to set-up a base in London outside the Olympic Village during the Games where non-accredited members of staff, including coaches and medical staff can work.

The deal with Sheffield is due to be officially signed at a special ceremony in the Winter Gardens in the city on Monday (September 13) at an event that will feature local judo players, Brazilian music and dance.

Judo is one of Brazil's most successful sports at the Olympics.

They have won a total of 15 medals, including two gold.

The first medal was won by Chiaki Ishii, who claimed a silver in the men's half heavyweight at the 1972 Olympics in Munich.

The most recent medals claimed by Brazilian judo players came in Beijing two years ago where Leandro Guilheiro, Ketleyn Quadros (pictured) and Tiago Camilo all won bronze medals.

They were all part of a 13-strong Brazilian team that competed in the Chinese capital.

The team is currently competing at the World Championships in Tokyo where they have so far won two silver medals, Guilheiro in the half middleweight and Mayra Aguiar in the women's half heavyweight.

The deal is another major boost for Sheffield sport.

Last month they signed a deal for the United States diving team to prepare there before London 2012 while they had concluded an agreement with Serbia in May 2009 for their teams to use Sheffield.

And, earlier this week, it was announced that Sheffield is to host next year's World Short Track Speed Skating Championships.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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