It is exactly four years away today.

But Kent and Medway are taking no chances when it comes to their own preparations for the 2012 Olympics.

Exactly 1,461 days from today, the international games will kick off in London.

While work continues at a fevered pace to get the main ground in Stratford up to scratch, surrounding counties are poised to begin campaigns to encourage competing countries’ and tourists to basing themselves within their borders.

KCC’s cabinet member for community services Mike Hill said Kent already has an excellent starting position over other areas.

He said: “We have got more (training and accommodation) sites mentioned in the official 2012 brochure for competing countries than anywhere else – 31 in total and another seven for the Paralympics, which is a great starting point.

“We don’t have the sort of major sporting facilities that some of the big UK cities have, and it would be unrealistic to expect us to attract very big competing nations, but I certainly think the medium and smaller nations will find we’ve got an awful lot to offer.”

Cllr Hill said the council was committed to bringing the maximum benefits of the London games to the county, building on their experience of hosting part of Tour de France last year and the Golf Open in 2003.

Listen: Cllr Mike Hill explains Kent's long term Olympic plan >>>

Medway Cllr Howard Doe, portfolio holder for community services including sport, said the district’s plans were going well, with Medway Park - the area’s flagship multi-sport facility - judo hall and athletics track nearing completion.

Cllr Doe said: “This really is an opportunity for us to showcase what British athletes can achieve and to encourage people locally to take up sport for both their health and enjoyment.

“If we have some pre-Olympic training groups based here, it will inspire people even more.”

He added: “I think we’ve got as good a chance as anyone, but I think that we’d be incredibly unlucky not to have any interest in our facilities.”