The British Olympic Association is setting up a pre-Olympic training camp in the former Portuguese enclave of Macau to help half the nation's team prepare for the Beijing Games in August.

A 250-member delegation comprising coaches, support staff and 131 athletes in 15 Olympic disciplines will train in Macau for 2-3 weeks prior to the start of the Games on August 8.

Leading gold-medal hope, marathon runner Paula Radcliffe, will be among those training in the casino boomtown, along with 400 metres world champion Christine Ohuruogu, boxer Frankie Gavin and gymnast Beth Tweddle.

Olympics Performance Manager of the British Olympic Association Bernie Cotton told a news conference that Macau was chosen ahead of other Chinese cities like Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tianjin given its central location, excellent sports facilities and a climate similar to Beijing.

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