ATHLETES from Gambia are coming to York for the 2012 Olympics – and the team that brought them here have targeted the Commonwealth Games to persuade more countries to sign up.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed in the African country for its Olympic athletes to be based in the Minster city for a pre-games camp ahead of their participation in the London games.

As The Press exclusively revealed in January, Gambia are one of seven countries in ZANOCA (Zonal Association of National Olympic Committee of Africa) Zone II to be approached by a York and North Yorkshire partnership body.

They are the first to sign up and it is hoped deals can also be agreed to see athletes from Senegal, Burkino Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Guinea and Niger using the city and its training facilities as they strive for medals.

On Monday, Lawrence Bruce, executive director of the Gambia National Olympics Committee, will visit York to witness the final seal put on the deal at the Mansion House and tour the sporting facilities given pre-games accreditation.

He will be shown round Huntington Stadium, York College, the University of York and York Community Gymnastics Club.

But the city partnership, which includes Active York, the Moors and Coast tourism partnership and York St John University, have set their sights higher.

Ian Ashton, of the partnership and whose contacts in Gambia have been pivotal in securing this deal, has revealed he could be travelling to the Commonwealth Games, in India, in October, where he will look to persuade other countries still looking for a pre-games training camp to choose York.

“We’re not finished yet,” he said. “We will still be talking to the other nations and, if we can pull it off, we hope to get some extra countries as well.

“I am looking to any country that wants to use our facilities. I am looking to organise a promotion at the Commonwealth Games, in Delhi, with others who are interested.

“We have got 150 places in York and if we can get 150 athletes and coaches in the city that would be a massive coup. I am absolutely delighted. Two years of work has gone into this and we hope Gambia will be the first of quite a few.”

Meanwhile, the news of Gambia’s decision to come to York was gleefully greeted by city figures.

Emma Hoddinott, the partnership’s culture and 2012 project manager, said: “We would love to have more countries here and that requires more work. This is great news. A slice of 2012 is going to come to York and I think that’s great news for everyone who has been involved in the partnership.”

Coun Nigel Ayre, the council’s leisure boss, said: “I am hopeful the Gambia will be one of a number of countries from the region that we will be able to welcome to the city in 2012.

“I hope bringing athletes to the city ahead of the Olympics will help to further boost enthusiasm for sport locally and will inspire people to get involved in the sporting legacy of the games.”

Coun Sonja Crisp, shadow leisure chief, added: “I am extremely pleased this has come off. We now have a definitive link to the Olympic games.”