The tiny Caribbean islands, whose population of 85,000 makes it only marginally bigger than Guildford, are the first country to agree to train at the Park, which was opened in April and is owned by the Surrey of University.

Its facilities include a 50 metre swimming pool, 12 badminton courts, three full-sized basketball courts and eight floodlit tennis courts.

The Guildford Spectrum, meanwhile, has an eight-lane 400m running track.

Sir Vivian, an ambassador for the Antigua and Barbuda National Olympic Committee, was joined by former rival, England cricketer Alec Stewart, as he inspected the facilities.

"Having seen the sports park for the first time today, it’s totally ideal for my country," said Sir Vivian, who in 121 Test matches scored a then world record record 8,540 runs, including 24 centuries.

"These are amazing facilities and after seeing the welcome that we received here, the team has seen what I love about this part of the world."

Antigua made its Olympic debut at Montreal in 1976 when it sent a team of ten athletes.

It has competed in every Summer Games since Los Angeles in 1984 and sent five competitors - four athletes and a swimmer - to Beijing in 2008.

The team is still waiting to win its first medal but, since he was knocked out in the second round of the 100 metres in Beijing, Daniel Bailey (pictured) has matured into one of the world's best sprinters.

He has run 9.91sec for 100m and earlier this year won a bronze medal in the 60m at the World Indoor Championships in Doha.

High jumper James Grayman, meanwhile, won a bronze medal at the 2007 Pan American Games.

"Our nation is a very small one and we haven’t accomplished much yet in terms of gold and silver medals," said Sir Vivian, who travelled to England from New Delhi where he had been supporting Antigua's team competing at the Commonwealth Games.

"But what I know for sure is in an environment where you feel comfortable, you never know.

"It gives the athletes peace of mind and whenever they feel comfortable, you never know what they can achieve."

Chet Greene, President of the Antigua National Olympic Committee, said: "We have had overtures from a number of would-be hosts, but I’m happy to declare that Surrey is the place for us.

"For me it goes beyond sports, we want to build relationships here, not just with sports but with schools and the community.

"Once Vivian gives his stamp of approval, we know it’s right.

"We're hoping to be adopted in Surrey in the same way as he has been."

Also on hand for the official signing ceremony was Allan Wells, the 1980 Olympic 100m champion who now works at the University of Surrey.

"From the outset the idea of the Sports Park was to attract countries to come here and use the facilities," said Wells.

"It was really accepted by the new vice-chancellor and it was a big step financially for the university.

"Having the facilities and the Olympic team here encourages young people to get involved and try out for different sports."

Surrey officials claim that they are also currently in negotiations with several other countries to use the Park as a pre-London 2012 base.

"Outstanding facilities have helped us sell our county as an attractive place to stay," said David Hodge, the Deputy Leader of Surrey County Council

"The County Council has put in a lot of time and effort to entice Olympic nations to base their teams in Surrey during the London 2012 Games.

"I'm delighted Antigua and Barbuda has taken up the offer and we are also in advanced talks with a number of other nations about basing themselves here."

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