Efforts to enhance Limerick's reputation for sports training facilities ahead of the 2012 Olympics in London have received a major boost.
Grant aid of €2 million has been allocated by the Department of the Arts, Sport and Tourism for sports facilities at the University of Limerick and Grove Island Leisure Centre in the city.
Minister for Sport John O'Donoghue said he wanted to ensure that the world's leading athletes could prepare for the London Olympics in top-class facilities in Limerick.
Since London won the bid for the Olympics 18 months ago, efforts have been under way to attract elite athletes to Limerick ahead of the 2012 games. It is hoped that the combination of good facilities and access through Shannon airport will entice athletes to choose the city as a training base.
Many elite athletes including Kelly Holmes, Paula Radcliffe and Sonia O'Sullivan have previously used Limerick as a training base.
Leading sports physiotherapist Gerard Hartmann has also treated dozens of Olympic competitors at his sports injury clinic in the city.
Mr Hartmann said facilities at the University of Limerick sports arena were "second to none" at an international level.
UL already boasts an Olympic-size swimming pool and the latest Government funding will be used to construct an additional 25- metre pool.
It is understood that further significant funding will be made available to sports facilities in Limerick in the build-up to the 2012 Olympic games.