By Tom Degun

Basildon Sporting_Village_June_29June 30 - Fumiyo Minemura, head coach of the Japanese Paralympic swimming squad, has heaped praised on the £38 million ($61 million/€47 million) Basildon Sporting Village which Japan's top Olympic and Paralympic swimmers are using as their pre-London 2012 training camp to finalise their preparations for the Games.


Japan are one of the world's strongest swimming nations.

At the Beijing 2008 Olympics, they came fourth in the swimming medal table, just one place below the British team, after winning two gold medals and three bronzes.

Both gold medals were won by Kosuke Kitajima in the 100 and 200 metres breaststroke, retaining the two titles he won at Athens in 2004.

The 29-year-old from Tokyo will now be hoping that the new 50 metre Olympic-size swimming pool in Basildon can help inspire him to further glory at London 2012.

Another swimmer who will use the facility in Basildon is Takayuki Suzuki (pictured), who won Japan's only Paralympic swimming gold medal at Beijing 2008 in the 50m breaststroke SB3.

Minemura said the facility provides the perfect setting for relaxing.

"It's very different to London," said the coach, who was shown around by the Mayor of Basildon Mo Larkin.

"There's a lot of greenery here and it generates a relaxing atmosphere.

Takayuki Suzuki_June_29
"The facilities here at the Sporting Village get 100 out of 10 in my book."

The Japanese Olympic team will spend almost a month training before moving to the Athlete's Village in Stratford.

The Paralympic team will then take over the facility.

Paul Brace, the head of Basildon's leisure services, said local children will be able to watch them train.

"We've been contacted by a few schools already and have given them places to come and watch from the spectators' stands," said Brace.

"We want as many schoolchildren as possible to take this once in a lifetime chance and watch the athletes while they train."

Japan will hope a strong showing at London 2012 will boost their prospects for securing the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games which Tokyo is currently bidding for against rivals Istanbul and Madrid.

A decision on the host city for those Games will not be made until summer next year in Buenos Aires.

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