OLYMPIANS from Australia and Canada will train and stay in South Derbyshire in the build-up to the 2012 Games.

Badminton players from both nations will spend a week in the area before making their way to the Olympic Village in London.

The Derby Telegraph can reveal they will train at Etwall Leisure Centre, which contains a six-court sports hall that is of National Badminton England standard.

Local badminton teams will get to have their own training sessions with the star players – and it is likely the public will be allowed in to watch.

Both teams are due to arrive in Derbyshire on July 16 and leave for the Olympic Village on July 23.

Rory Slater, of the Derbyshire Management Group for the 2012 Games, says it has worked hard to attract Olympic teams to the county.

He said: "This is a fantastic coup for Derbyshire.

"It means the local public can rub shoulders with international athletes who they will then see live on TV at the world's greatest show.

"It is yet another way that Derbyshire will play its own direct part in the Games."

Each delegation is likely to include around five players plus two or three coaches and officials.

During their time at Etwall, they will work with Andy Wood, who was head coach of the GB badminton team at the Sydney, Athens and Beijing Olympics.

Andy, who lives in Shardlow, led athletes to medal success at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics.

He said: "The facilities at Etwall Leisure Centre will be an ideal training ground for the teams in their final preparations for the Olympics.

"It's fantastic that Derbyshire can attract Olympic teams to come and train here."

Australia's head coach, Lasse Bundgaard, said her team was "very much looking forward" to training in South Derbyshire.

She said: "The camp will form an important part of the preparation for the Games in London and we are delighted to have the opportunity to be hosted at such a great facility in Etwall and to work with Andy Wood.

"We also hope that our athletes may have a little time to relax in the wonderful surroundings of South Derbyshire."

Kyle Hunter, executive director of Badminton Canada, said Etwall Leisure Centre would be a "great benefit to our athletes".

She said: "The Canadian badminton team is looking forward to an excellent camp in South Derbyshire and the opportunity to thank the community for their hospitality."

Frank McArdle, chief executive of South Derbyshire District Council, said: "It goes a long way to bringing the Olympics to Derbyshire and will give our budding athletes a fantastic opportunity to mingle with the world's best."

David Joy, director of Derbyshire Sport, added: "I'm delighted – it is a fantastic endorsement of what sport in Derbyshire has to offer. We hope that during their stay the teams will have the opportunity to engage with the local community.

"During the next few months, we will be working with the teams to finalise the timetable for their stay."