BT has announced it will provide free broadband access to athletes based at the Olympic Village during next summer’s Games in London.

BT Infinity will provide Internet access at speeds up to 100Mb/s as part of an agreement between the communications firm, the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

All 19,000 athletes and officials based in the east London Olympic Village will have superfast broadband access in their apartments, BT confirmed. Access will be provided through BT’s fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) technology and will cover 2,800 apartments across 65 blocks.

Athletes and officials staying at the Olympic Sailing Venue on the Isle of Portland, near Weymouth will also receive Internet access free of charge, with BT’s fibre broadband offering speeds up to 40Mb/s.

"The athletes are at the heart of all our plans, so providing simple home comforts such as broadband is something that we have always been keen to do and I’m delighted that BT will make it possible," said LOCOG Chair Seb Coe.

"I spend a lot of time away from home training and competing, so being able to stay in touch with my coach – who can’t always travel with me – is vital to my preparations before a big race," added Oscar Pistorius, Paralympic champion and BT Ambassador.

The infrastructure being put in place by BT will remain once the Games are over and be offered to all UK communications providers on an open, wholesale basis, BT said. Site owners will be able to offer superfast broadband to residents or businesses housed at the site via their chosen supplier, BT added.

"We’re extremely proud that BT is the broadband services provider of London 2012. Supporting the communications needs of athletes during the Games is a central part of our role," said Chris Clark, Director of BT’s London 2012 programme.

"Crucially, the fibre network we are deploying at both venues will be a lasting legacy, providing local residents and businesses with super-fast broadband speeds long after the Games have drawn to a close. It’s all part of BT’s goal to make London 2012 the most connected Games ever," Clark added.

Click here to read CBR’s feature on the tech challenges facing the organisers of London 2012.