June 3 - York has signed a deal for Gambia to set-up a training camp before the London 2012 Olympics and are now targetting a number of other African nations.



A  Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Gambian Olympic Committee (GOC) and York Council and an official signing is due to be held at the city's Mansion House next Monday (June 7).

Gambia will be represented by Lawrence Bruce, the executive director of the GOC, who will be given a tour of city's facilities accredited by London 2012, including Huntington Stadium, York College, University of York and York Community Gymnastics Club.

Gambia, the smallest country on mainland Africa, made its debut in the Olympics at Los Angeles in 1984 but is still waiting to win its first medal.

They were represented by three competitors at the Olympics in Beijing in 2008, two sprinters and a boxer.

The deal was arranged in March after four lecturers from York St John University travelled to Gambia to take part in a conference.

This was part of a drive to bring seven African countries, which make up ZANOCA (Zonal Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa) Zone II, to York for a pre-Games 2012 camp.

Gambia has been the first to sign up, but it is also hoped that York will also be able to welcome athletes from other West African countries including Senegal, Burkino Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Guinea and Niger.