LONDON — A British university is busy preparing to become home for Japan's sporting stars in the runup to the London 2012 Olympics.

Staff at central England's Loughborough University have been brushing up on the Japanese language, food and culture before the team arrives.

The university in Leicestershire County will be a training camp for Japan's Olympians before their events in London. In the meantime the school is providing facilities for Japanese athletes when they compete in Europe.