26 July 2012 Last updated at 09:53 ET

London 2012 athletes experience Sheffield

By James Vincent BBC Yorkshire political reporter

Sheffield council said activities around London 2012 would bring £20m to the city

At Sheffield's Pond Forge pool, it is not unusual to see people jumping off the top diving board.

The plunge pool hosts a number of diving teams and competitions but this week the dives have been that little bit sharper.

That it because the USA Olympic Diving team is in the city.

The Americans are impressed with Ponds Forge and the English Institute of Sport, venues frequently used by the Sheffield's Olympic athletes Jessica Ennis, Ellie Faulkner and Nick Robinson-Baker.

Christina Loukas from Chicago has just finished a practice competition on the 3m (9ft) springboard.

"I really like this city, the facility has been awesome to train in."

The 26-year-old, who came ninth in the 2008 Beijing Games, said she had managed to take some time out from training to visit nearby sights.

Bean stew

"We have been out a little bit, we went to the Chatsworth Estate - it was beautiful. This is my second trip here and both times it has been great," said Ms Loukas.

Her coach Kenny Armstrong said: "The people are great here, they have been very accommodating. This is my eighth Olympics so I'm really excited, it is the best thing to bring the world together."

A number of overseas Olympic training squads have chosen South Yorkshire as their base for the 2012 Games.

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In the nearby Kenwood Hotel, the Brazilian judo team have brought their own chef to teach the hotel team how to cook one of their favourite dishes feijoada, a black bean stew.

Brazilian chef Rubens Izidorio said: "It is typical Brazilian food, we even have it for breakfast. It gives a lot of power and energy."

Chef at the Kenwood Hotel Bart Komuniecki said after four days practice he was "getting it right".

"Finally we have managed to get the right beans. It was not easy."

Along with USA and Brazil, there are also athletes from Canada, Japan, South Korea and Russia staying in South Yorkshire before moving to the athletes' village ready for their events.

Sheffield council said activities around London 2012 would bring £20m to the city.