From left: Klemen Bedenik, President of the Slovenian Federation of Gymnastics, Bill Hayton, chairman of KCC, and Fef Griffin, Director of Pegasus Gymnastics. Picture supplied by Fef Griffin

Olympic gymnasts will train at a club in Maidstone in the build-up to the London 2012 games.

The Slovenian Gymnastics Federation (SGF) will set up a training camp at the Pegasus Gymnastics Club in Crismill Lane, Bearsted.

Around 25 to 30 gymnasts from Slovenia are expected to visit in 2011 and 2012 to train.

It’s not the first time Slovenian gymnasts have been to Maidstone. They have built up strong links with the Pegasus club and a number of gymnasts from Slovenia took part in the Pegasus Open Gymnastics Competition at Maidstone Leisure Centre over the weekend.

Klemen Bedenik representing the Slovenian Gymnastic Federation, signed an agreement with Kent County Council chairman Bill Hayton at the competition.

In March 2008, Kent was recognised for having the highest number of venues in the country approved as possible Pre Games Training Camps for Olympians and Paralympians.

Seb Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: "This is great news for Kent. The excellent sporting facilities in Maidstone and Kent will help the Slovenian team train and prepare well for the London Games.

"It will also lead to a strong relationship between Kent and Slovenia and the development of sporting and cultural ties. This also gives Kent a chance to get involved in the Games more closely and I congratulate all involved."

KCC Cabinet Member for Communities Mike Hill said: "It is a real honour to have this team coming to Kent. This will give local people the chance to see elite athletes training and staying in their local area, something which is very exciting ahead of 2012.

"We are very keen to build tourism, cultural, educational and sporting links with Slovenia as a result".

Kent has already signed agreements with other Olympic nations, including Ukraine and Belarus which signed Judo agreements last year to train in Kent leading up to the 2012 Games.

For more information on Pre-Games Training Camps in Kent please contact Chris Metherell at chris.metherell@kent.gov.uk