Olympic stars are on way...

Goodwood Estate, the University of Chichester and Oaklands Park archery range will play host to olympic teams for several weeks or months ahead of the 2012 games.

West Sussex coordinator for the 2012 Olympics Carolyn Carr is excited about the potential sports and tourism benefits it could bring to the area.

She said: "I was chuffed to bits when I heard the news. If the teams come to us it is going to put us on the map.

"If we have Olympians coming we would make sure it was open to the community '“ I don't think you can put a price on that."

University of Chichester exercise physiologist Dr Marcus Smith has been training Olympians as part of the GB set-up and at the university since 1987.

He said: "The people of Chichester need to think beyond just sport. There are plenty of opportunities in business and culture and we are already thinking of programmes to link in schools.

"For me, the exciting thing is the legacy that will follow on from the Olympics and that is already happening.

"The teams will want somewhere they can relax. Here they can enjoy the downs and we are by the sea '“ it is ideally situated."

The Oaklands Park archery range is currently home to the Chichester Bowmen. However, they will have to step aside if an Olympic team chooses to train there.

Club committee member Peter Cole said: "It is really great news. We are very pleased to be able to participate in this '“ hopefully it will benefit the club as well. It would give us the opportunity to improve the facilities and gain more members."

Speaking on the approval of the Goodwood Estate as a training camp Lord March said: "Goodwood has always been associated with the very best of sporting achievement and I am delighted we shall be able to host Olympic teams at the top of their sporting ability."