Torbay won 'gold' yesterday when the Government announced its list of successful applicants included in the official 2012 Olympics brochure.

It means details about Bay sport and leisure facilities will be sent out to countries across the globe, generating publicity and enthusiasm for the next four years.The Bay's last-minute application to be included in the Pre-Games Training Camp Guide was submitted a year ago, bringing together leaders in business and sports.

Amid delays and huge secrecy, an announcement about who was in the guide and who missed out was finally made yesterday at noon.Torbay applied to have nine sports included in the guide. Five were successful and four failed, but organisers were 'elated' with the outcome.

In total 60 venues in the West Country and 600 across the country got into the guide.

Gordon Oliver, joint chairman of Torbay Olympics Committee, said: "It's a great pleasure to announce a success today. It's a very momentous occasion.

"There's a little sadness for those not included, but we do have some real success also. We have five sports represented in the world guide.

"It sends out a message that Torbay counts. We've now got the chance to publicise ourselves to millions and millions of people.

"It's been done from small beginnings, with dedication, determination, vision and no money. All the people who worked on the application have been volunteers.

"The efforts that came in from all sides has been astonishing, and we can push this success for years to come. We need everything we can in terms of boosting our economy. It's a chance not to be lost."

Successful groups included in the brochure are the Royal Torbay Yacht Club (sailing), Mid Devon Cycling Club (road cycling, mountain biking and BMX), South Devon College (judo), Torbay Leisure Centre (triathlon) and Torbay Olympic Gymnastic Club (rhythmic gymnastics and artistic gymnastics).

They now have until March 31 to provide words and pictures to be included in the guide, and then they will be working hard to attract athletes from around the world wanting to train in England ahead of 2012.

Roger Mann, chairman of Torbay Sports Council, said: "There will be a lot of excitement about this. It's superb news.

"There were very few bids that put together for nine sports in the brochure. It may be that we only got five because that's more than most got.

"On the back of this success, I'd like to say that we have 15 young people whose first thought every morning when they get up is for 2012.

"Let's hope Torbay Council can help fund them and encourage them. Wouldn't it be wonderful to watch our televisions in 2012 and see some local competitors."

With Weymouth due to host the maritime Olympics events in 2012, Torbay was delighted to be given official Training Camp status.

Cllr Robert Horne, a former commodore of the Royal Torbay Yacht Club, said he thought the Bay would be a big attraction for teams wanting to train ahead of the Olympics.

He added: "We've really arrived. This bid was thrown together very quickly, and it's been a 100 per cent success. If you hadn't put it together we wouldn't have got anything.

"The yacht clubs grouped together very quickly to put together this maritime bid. The facilities that we can provide are superb.

"There might be teams that don't want to show their hand in Weymouth, so we'd be ideal for them. Now that Torquay harbour has been developed, we can offer the whole package."

David Selley, Royal Torbay Yacht Club's current commodore, echoed this, saying: "It is a superb opportunity to promote sailing and the Bay.

"Weymouth have got the Olympics but, as far as the training goes, we have an advantage of our bay being very similar to Weymouth and we can offer great facilities.

"We will offer support any way we can. It's marvellous news."

Colin Lewis, a cyclist who competed in the 1964 Olympics and is now president of the Mid Devon Cycling Club, said: "This is the biggest honour the club's ever had. I'm really, really pleased.

"There's a lot of work to be done now, but the fact that our facilities are in the official guide, which is going out to every country in the world, is fabulous.

"In the run-up to the Games we will be busy with teams coming here. I'm confident of that. I'm elated. It's made my day."

The sports that were not included in the guide are rifle shooting, tae kwon-do, basketball and archery.

Adrian Sanders, Torbay MP, said: "It is very good news that five clubs are in the guide, considering many areas with superior and long-established sporting facilities don't even get a mention.

"Getting the official Training Camp status is the icing on the cake. The fact that everyone came together and assessed what facilities we've got and what needs improving, that will become the long-lasting legacy.

"We can change things for the better."