The Irish athletics team will gear up for the London 2012 Olympic Games in Twickenham after choosing St Mary’s University College as its training camp.

The team will use the university, in Waldegrave Road, for pre-game training after “being impressed” with its facilities and support services.

Stephen Martin, chief executive of the Olympic Council of Ireland, said: “We have made several visits with a number of sports and Institute of Sport officials.

“They have been impressed with the facilities and support services available at St Mary’s and believe that it’s an ideal pre-Games venue.”

The team will have access to the university’s new £8.5m sports centre, set to open later this year, injury clinic and sport science and sport medicine services.

It is expected they will be joined by their sprint canoeing, cycling and triathlon squads.

Dick Fisher, head of 2012 preparations at the university, said: “St Mary’s has very strong academic and sporting links with Ireland and we are delighted to be hosting some of their squads in 2011 and 2012.

“Our aim is to give them full support and every opportunity to achieve their targets.”