The collaboration between Brazil's Ministry of Sport and the University of Birmingham will see the two partners work together on a range of sports science initiatives.

The partnership aims to enable staff exchange to develop joint research projects and provide opportunities for elite Brazilian athletes to benefit from an array of sport science support services at the University. These include sports psychology, physiology, nutrition, strength and conditioning, and sports medicine.

Birmingham is a leading university in sport, exercise and health - ranked first in the UK for research. The University has seen its links with Brazil go from strength to strength over recent years with significant investment in place to support engagement with Brazilian partners.

Most recently, the University organised an international conference on the legacies of global mega-events supported by the British Council looking ahead to the FIFA 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. With these major events in mind, the University will work with the Ministry of Sport to develop volunteering opportunities for Birmingham students and staff.

Professor Malcolm Press, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for International Engagement in the Americas and Head of the College of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham, said: 'This exciting new partnership reinforces Birmingham's commitment to further enhancing its growing relationship with Brazil. Further to our active involvement in broader UK-Brazil higher education sector initiatives around sport, we look forward to working with the Brazilian Ministry of Sport to share our expertise and provide access to our world-class sport, exercise and health research facilities.'

Professor Luis Paulino from the Ministry of Sport, said: 'For Brazil's Sport Ministry this cooperation agreement with the University of Birmingham is an important opportunity to share the successful experience of the UK in the organisation of the 2012 London Olympic Games, in the preparation of the athletes and, overall, to leverage the social and economic legacies of these global mega-events for the benefit of the whole of society. The University of Birmingham's excellence in all fields related to sports science provides a unique opportunity for Brazilian researchers and students to improve the legacy of knowledge in competitive, educational and participative sports.'

The four-year partnership will also facilitate opportunities for Brazilian coaches, performance directors and officials to visit the University for continuous professional development or other academic programmes.

The University of Birmingham has extensive experience in working with elite athletes from across the world. In addition to Birmingham's many talented student and alumni athletes, the Jamaican track and field team, including double gold medallist Usain Bolt, has benefited from the University's first class sports facilities and expertise at its pre-Olympic training camp hosted on campus in July.
Notes to Editors

For further information on the University of Birmingham's engagement in Brazil, visit: www.birmingham.ac.uk/brazil