Japan 2012 team pick Loughborough

Organisers say the facilities are some of the best in the country

One of the biggest teams at the London 2012 Olympics has chosen the East Midlands as its training base.

The Japanese Olympic Committee will sign a deal with Loughborough University at the Japanese Embassy in London later.

It means hundreds of athletes and support staff will come to the area over the next three years.

A new accommodation village has been built at Loughborough. Japanese teams will start using the base this summer.

They will also use it as their training base for events prior to the 2012 Olympics starting with the IAAF Athletics World Championships which take place in Berlin this August.

'Best preparation possible'

Loughborough's efforts to attract a major team have been supported by the East Midlands Development Agency.

Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee Board, Lord Coe, said: "There are many facilities available for National Olympic and Paralympic teams to chose from throughout the UK, offering an excellent selection.

"As someone who has studied and trained at Loughborough University, I know the Japanese team will have the best preparation possible for the London Games."

Tokyo is one of four candidate cities shortlisted to host the 2016 Olympic Games.