ST JOHN S Wood will be the medical base for Britain s top-class athletes during the countdown to the 2012 Olympics. St John and St Elizabeth has been named as the official hospital for the UK athletic squad for the Games. Stars such as gold medal winner C

ST JOHN'S Wood will be the medical base for Britain's top-class athletes during the countdown to the 2012 Olympics.

St John and St Elizabeth has been named as the official hospital for the UK athletic squad for the Games.

Stars such as gold medal winner Christine Ohuruogu and Olympic hopefuls like Perri Shakes-Drayton, tipped for success in the 400m hurdles, are just some of the names who could be calling into NW8 for treatment.

The private Catholic hospital in Grove End Road was chosen for its central location and high quality facilities. The UK athletics medical team has already started settling into their new home and will begin treating top sports stars from this month as they prepare for 2012.

Claire Hornick, St John and St Elizabeth deputy chief executive, said although the UK Athletics medics will be providing the bulk of the treatment, the whole hospital is gearing up to provide support.

"The X-ray department are going to have a big input, so will physiotherapy and pathology. We'll also be testing for things like asthma in our respiratory department," she said.

Ms Hornick also stressed great care would be taken in ensuring athletes were not given any drugs that could accidentally jeopardise doping tests.

"All the medication that any of the athletes will be prescribed will be discussed with their sports physicians - that's why it's important they are on site," she said. "It's amazing to be selected as the official hospital.

"We're very proud and I think it's a great reflection on the quality of services."

UKA Chief Executive, Niels de Vos said: "Basing UKA's medical services at St John and Elizabeth will ensure and improve our ability to deliver world-class medical services to our funded athletes.