THE West Devon sporting community will be extending a warm welcome to an Olympic athletic team from Swaziland on Sunday, July 8, who will be using Tavistock as its training base prior to London Olympic Games later that month.

The Swaziland team consists of two athletes and their coaches.

Sprinter Sibusiso Bruno Matsenjwa, 24, is competing in the men's 100m and 200m races while fellow sprinter Phumlile Ndzinisa, 20, will run in the women's 100m, 200m and 400m races. Both athletes have represented their country on a number of occasions.

Members of the West Devon Pre-Games Training Camp committee, who helped to secure Tavistock as the training base for the African team, say they are delighted that Swaziland choose West Devon for their training camp.

Final arrangements are being made to ensure everything is in place for the athletes.

The team will be staying at Kelly College and training will be based at the outstanding athletics track at Tavistock College. They will also have access to the excellent indoor facilities at the college.

Tavistock College and other user groups, in particular, Tavistock Athletic Club and Bere Alston Athletics Club, have been helpful in ensuring that the training requirements of the athletes are accommodated at the track.

UCP Marjon (Plymouth) have offered to provide assistance through their extensive sports science and sports injury clinics, if appropriate, during the athletes' stay.

Alan Roberton, vice-chair of WDPGTCC, told the Times: 'Of the 204 teams expected to compete at the London 2012 Games, many, especially from resource-poor regions, are very small and athletes have to overcome considerable difficulties in order to be able to participate.

'We wish them well for what will be one of the greatest challenges of their lives.'

While the full itinerary for the team has yet to be finalised, alongside their training, athletes and coaches will be able to engage with local organisations who through funding and support have, in a variety of ways, helped in making this training camp possible.

The programme will include a visit to Okehampton College and the opportunity to meet pupils from schools around the area.

A civic reception will be given to the Swaziland team in Tavistock Town Hall on Wednesday, July 11, starting at 6pm.

WDPGTCC invites anyone who would like to be involved in the welcome, either as an individual or representing a local organisation, to meet outside the town hall at around 5.45pm on the day.

The Swaziland team will be leaving Tavistock to travel to the London 2012 Olympic Athlete's Village on July 23.

If you would like further details on the arrival and calendar of events for the Swaziland team and how you could be involved, contact WDPGTCC chair James Allenby on 01822 615349 or vice-chairs Alan Roberton on 01647 433137 and Aaron Beacom on 01837 840218.