John Fuller, Hertfordshire manager for the London 2012 Games, met Alphonso Bridgewater, the President of the St Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee, and is optimistic that they will sign to join the British Virgin Islands to set-up a pre-Games training camp in the county.

St Kitts and Nevis, who made their Olympic debut at Atlanta in 1996, took four competitors to the Games in Beijing last year.

They were all sprinters, headed by the 2002 Commonwealth Games and 2003 world 100 metres champion Kim Collins.

He failed to reach the final of the short sprint but did finish sixth in the 200m.

Hertfordshire has 17 training camps, which offer all sorts of sport facilities from athletics to gymnastics and fencing to wrestling, a point highlighted when Olympic silver medallist Mark Richardson (pictured) visited Hertfordshire to inspect the facilities and help them celebrate a special "2012 Day".

Richardson, who was a member of the 4x400 metres relay team that finished second in the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, toured sporting venues in Hertfordshire to share his excitement for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and to encourage Hertfordshire residents to be healthier and more active.

Young and old braved freezing conditions to meet the inspirational runner at five centres around the county, including Gosling Sports Park, North Herts Leisure Centre, Letchworth and Hemel Hempstead Sports Centre.

Derrick Ashley, Hertfordshire County Council’s Champion for the 2012 Games and Executive Member for Planning, said: "Everyone showed real Olympic grit, including our team of Hertfordshire Highways gritters whose sterling work to salt our roads held to ensure our 2012 Day celebrations went ahead.

"Excitement is gaining momentum as we prepare to welcome Olympic athletes, coaches and spectators to our host venue and training camps.

"I hope that everyone - from schoolchildren to their parents and grandparents - will want to get involved."

Richardson said: "I retired in 2003 but I still have a passion for sport.

"Anything I can do to encourage people to get involved is a good thing."


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June 2009: Hertfordshire signs up first team for London 2012