Coventry, who won gold medals in Athens and Beijing for Zimbabwe, took time out of her competition schedule in Europe to visit the city, which will be a host during the London 2012 Games when Olympic football visits the Ricoh Arena.

The 27-year-old backstroke specialist, one of the medal favourites in London in less then two years, was given a tour of the city, met council leaders and stayed at the Ricoh Arena.

Coventry admitted it was not the first time she had planned a trip to the city.

"I was due to come here when I was a teenager but dislocated my knee playing hockey a couple of weeks before so I couldn't come," she said.

"My team mates brought me back a swimsuit with the Coventry crest on it, which was great.

"I have swum in Manchester before but the itinerary did not let me take enough time out, so while I was over here this time I wanted to be certain to visit.

"It has been great.

"I visited the 50 metre pool and had a tour of the Ricoh Arena.

"It is obviously a city which has a great sporting and Olympic heritage and they made me feel very welcome indeed.

"It is good to have made a link just before 2012."

Tom Clift, Coventry and Warwickshire partnership manager for the London 2012 Games, said the athlete's visit could not have been better timed.

"We have obviously been aware of Kirsty for a few years so to make contact with her has been fantastic," he said.

"Given the unique namesake, we invited her to visit Coventry to have a look round.

"We didn't realise she had come close to visiting a few years ago, but are delighted we could show her what the city has to offer in the build-up to London 2012 and beyond.

"We have a few aspiring 2012 competitors who we hope will represent the city, but we know that one from Coventry will be there."

Coventry became the first Zimbabwean swimmer to reach a semi-final at the Olympics in 2000 aged just 16 and while still at school.

She has also been named Zimbabwe's Sports Woman of the Year three times.

Councillor John Mutton, leader of the city council, presented Coventry with a history of the city and gave her an extra copy for her father.

He said: "I think everyone will follow Kirsty's fortunes between now and London 2012.

"She is a lovely girl who really appreciated being shown around the city.

"She said she would be happy to return and it would be great to see her again in 2012 complete with a gold medal - or maybe a silver if she is competing against a British swimmer!"

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