12 things you might not know about Pre Games Training Camps in Wales

David Evans of the Welsh Government's Major Events team outlines 12 things you might not know about London 2012 Pre-Games Training Camps

• Wales is hosting Olympic and Paralympic teams from at least 19 countries and involving around 1,000 athletes and support staff utilising our world class facilities and high performance sport infrastructure in the run up to the Games
• Many high profile athletes will be preparing for the Games in Wales including Oscar 'Blade Runner' Pistorius (Paralympic champion and world record holder in the 100, 200 and 400 metres in the T44 class from South Africa), Valerie Adams (reigning Olympic, world and Commonwealth champion from New Zealand - shot put), Richard Thompson (Olympic silver medalist in the 100m from Trinidad and Tobago), Amantle Montsho (World Champion in the women's 400m) and the highly successful British Track Cycling Team
• Olympic athletes from Trinidad and Tobago,  New Zealand, Botswana, Team GB, Ireland, Lesotho and many boxing nations from all five continents will prepare for the Games in Wales
• Paralympic athletes from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Team GB, USA, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Liberia and Mexico will prepare for the Games in Wales
• PGT Camps will provide a benefit to the Welsh economy running into millions of pounds
• PGT Camps provide opportunities to develop sporting, educational and cultural exchanges with countries that come to Wales and provide opportunities for children and local communities to get involved, resulting in a positive Games legacy for Wales
• Welsh athletes, coaches and schoolchildren will have the opportunity to interact and learn from international athletes and coaches
• Commonwealth countries have deliberately been targeted with the 2014 Commonwealth Games being staged in Glasgow and the potential for repeat business
• Some nations are already considering using Wales as a long term training base for athletes in preparation for European events post 2012
• PGT Camps will help raise Wales’ international profile on the sporting and major events stage.
• PGT Camps provide opportunities to capitalise on these strengthened sporting links to build wider cooperation withthese countries, such as the First Minister’s recent successful visit to New Zealand where he was guest of honour at an event celebrating International Paralympics Day and used the visit to promote Welsh tourism, cultural and business interests
• Many Olympic athletes will compete in events in Wales leading into the Games including the Canoe Slalom World Cup to be held at Cardiff International White Water 8-10 June and discussions are ongoing regarding a track and field event on 18 July

 based in Wales