This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Japanese swimming federation, Basildon Borough Council and SLM Ltd who will be operating the Sporting Village under the "Everyone Active" brand.

Kevin Blake, Basildon Council's Cabinet member for leisure and arts, said: "This is wonderful news and I am delighted that we will be welcoming the Japanese swimming team to the Sporting Village prior to the London 2012 Games.

"Discussions are also taking place with their gymnastics team about what else we can offer."

At the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games the Japanese team came fourth in the swimming medal tables, just one place below the British team, after winning two gold medals and three bronze.

The agreement will see the Japanese swimming team using the brand new 50 metre Olympic-size swimming while the athletes and coaches will also visit Basildon in 2011 and in early 2012 in the lead up to the London Games.

The biggest star in Japan's team is Kosuke Kitajima (pictured), who won the 100 and 200 metres breaststroke in Beijing, retaining the titles he had won at Athens in 2004.


Koji Ueno, the executive director of the Japan Swimming Federation, said: "We are very pleased to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Basildon Sporting Village and this is a great start for our preparation for the 2012 London Games.

"We are grateful for the Council and Everyone Active's support throughout this process and hopefully we can achieve some good results at the Games by using the fantastic facilities at Basildon for the final conditioning training."

Councillor Stephen Castle, Essex County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for the 2012 Games, said: "Essex County Council and Basildon Borough Council have been working hard to ensure our world class facilities benefit those training for the forthcoming greatest show on earth.

"I look forward to welcoming the team to all our county has to offer in advance of the London 2012 Games."

The Basildon Sporting Village will open in April 2011 and will be the best public sports facility in Essex.

It will be managed by Everyone Active and offer resident's from Basildon and across the county a 50m swimming pool able to split into two 25m pools, teaching pool, regional gymnastics centre, eight court sports hall, fitness suite, crèche and cafe, climbing wall, floodlit five a side football pitches and a new athletics grandstand for 750 spectators.

Duncan Jefford, Regional Director of Everyone Active, added: "This is a wonderful opportunity for the local people to see elite athletes in action.

"We are passionate about inspiring people to get involved with sport which is why we will not be closing facilities whilst the Japanese team are training.

"Our customers will have the chance to swim alongside and watch these Olympic athletes train."

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