"London 2012 recognises the vital role that National Olympic Committees play in the Olympic Movement as well as in sport in their countries, especially in ensuring that athletes are prepared and can compete to the best of their ability," said Craig Reedie, Chairman of the British Olympic Association.

The commitments, contained in special London 2012 athlete and NOC charters launched on Monday, include the introduction of special Olympic Discount cards and other initiatives to assist athletes and team officials at the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

The charters include commitments to provide:

· $50,000 credit for each NOC toward the cost of using designated UK training camps

· The cost of a flexible return economy airfare for every team member

· Olympic Family members with a discount card, offering reductions of between 20 and 50 per cent at selected restaurants, shops and theatres throughout London

· Home Stay programme to enable families of visiting Olympic and Paralympic athletes to stay with British hosts free of charge.

"London 2012 recognises that athletes are at the heart of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and we will ensure that everything possible is done to provide the best conditions for athletes to excel," said Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Bid and dual Olympic gold medallist.

The new initiatives were contained in special Athlete and National Olympic Committee charters unveiled at the Sport Accord sports summit in Berlin.

"These charters are designed to enhance the Olympic sporting and cultural experience for athletes and team officials participating at a London Games ," said Seb Coe.

Under the charters, every athlete will also receive a telephone card allowing them to make up to $100 worth of free calls from the Olympic Village.

"The commitments contained in the charters will eliminate traditional costs involved in sending and caring for athletes at the Olympic Games. We are eliminating the financial burden so that athletes and teams can concentrate on performance and develop their sports ," Coe said.

The London charters for Olympic Athletes and National Olympic Committees follow the release of a special charter of commitments by the London 2012 Bid to assist International Sporting Federations to showcase and promote participation in all 28 Olympic sports.

The London 2012 initiatives include free accommodation and living expenses for technical delegates from each International Sporting Federation to stay in London for up to a year to oversee Games preparations and delivery of their sports to the highest standard.

London’s new Athlete Charter commits London to building a new Olympic Park with an Olympic Village inside surrounded by nine key sports venues –to provide the best possible security, accommodation and transport services for athletes, the Olympic Family and spectators.

"We have considered long and hard how to deliver the best experience for everyone who makes the Games the greatest show on earth. These charters contain commitments which will make a London Games the best," said Coe.

"I am particularly delighted that we are able to offer a $50,000 credit to encourage Olympic teams to use the accommodation and facilities across the UK for their preparations for the Games."