The University, which boasts some of the best facilites in Britain, is already in advanced negotiations for the Russian swimming team to train at its Sports Training Village ahead of London 2012.

Discussions are also ongoing about bringing other Russian teams to the University ahead of 2012.

"We're very excited that we already have the Malaysian team signed up to prepare for the Olympic Games and the British Paralympic Association for the Paralympic Games," said Stephen Baddeley, Director of Sport at the University of Bath.

"We are also in final discussions with the Russian swimming team, as well as with a number of other sports, for them to make their final preparations for the Olympic Games at the University."

The University has already been chosen by Malaysia as their pre-London 2012 Games training camp and will be the headquarters for Britain's Paralympic team.

But a deal with the Russians would be a major coup for the University.

Russia sent 455 athletes in 26 sports to the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and finished third in the final medals table with a total of 73 medals, including 23 gold. 

The aquatics team, including synchronised swimming, won a total of six medals, three of which were gold.

The only individual gold medallist was Larisa Ilchenko, who won the open water 10 kilometres swim.

The Russian team have also been a target for officials in Basildon, who are searching for a high-profile team to help boast publicity of their new £38 million ($61 million) Sporting Village.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
August 2010: Malaysian badminton team training at University of Bath
July 2009: Malaysia chooses Bath over Loughborough for London 2012