Sally Gunnell, the 1992 Olympic 400 metres hurdles champion, said today after seeing the venue chosen by the British Olympic Association (BOA) that it would make an ideal base.

When Christine Ohuruogu was told after winning the 400m gold medal in Beijing she said: “Aldershot?

"Really?

"I think I’ll stay at home.”

But Gunnell warned that Ohuruogu would be making a mistake.

The former British team captain said: “The preparation camp is everything.

"It’s something that the British Olympic Association has learned over the past 12 years or so.

“With any camp, it cannot be too far to travel to the events, so Aldershot is brilliant.

"All the facilities are first class.

"I’ve seen the running track and it’s great.

“The camp gets everyone in the right frame of mind.

"You’re all there and you have the same mission and the same goals.”

The BOA chose Aldershot because of its close proximity to London 60 miles south-west of the capital, facilities that allow training for 21 of the 26 Olympic sports and the area’s development potential.

Athletes will be housed at new Army barracks, already under construction as part of a new £12 million redevelopment scheme.

If the BOA take up their full quota, 1,310 athletes and officials will descend on the Hampshire town, home of the British Army since 1854.