A Portland pub is leading the way in welcoming the world to its community ahead of the home Games.

Host a Nation Week, launched by the Minister for Sport and the Olympics, Hugh Robertson, is urging people across the south west to celebrate their international visitors this summer.

But the Cove House Inn in Chiswell is already doing so, welcoming teams of every nationality, developing special links with the Australian Sailing team and cheering on Team GB.

Jackie Breakspear, a licensee at the Cove House Inn along with Amanda Broughton-South, said: “We’re hosting the Australian sailing team within the pub for the whole Olympics.

“We’re of course supporting Team GB and we’re welcoming every nationality but we’re hosting the Australians because they specifically asked us to.

“The Australians are planning to use the pub as a base for their family and friends, we’re having barbecues, live music with Australian bands, we’re going to be sourcing kangaroo burgers.

“We’re going to be celebrating with every nationality, making sure everyone has a really nice time. It’s going to be a great atmosphere.”

Top international sailors from more than 40 countries, including Argentina, New Zealand, Russia, Canada and China are holding pre-Games training camps across the south west region as they undergo their final preparations before the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Skandia Sail for Gold regatta in June will be the last big Olympic classes event on borough waters ahead of the home Games.

The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, the London 2012 sailing venue, has training camp arrangements with teams from Britain, USA, Australia, Italy, Canada, Spain, Sweden, Holland, Denmark, Argentina and Russia.

A number of the other teams have arrangements with Castle Cove Sailing Club, Weymouth Sailing Club and Royal Dorset Yacht Club (RDYC), where a lot of great collaborative work is going on.

The RDYC on Custom House Quay, Weymouth is hosting the New Zealand Sailing Team and the team’s friends and family, in the build up and during the Games, and has already planned a welcome party.

Host a Nation Week, running from July 16 to 22, aims to bring local communities across the UK and nations competing in this summer’s Games closer together.

David Fursdon, chairman of the South West England Board for the 2012 Games, said: “This initiative embodies the Olympic values of friendship and respect, and I’m sure it will be adopted enthusiastically in all our communities where international teams are based.

“During the Games themselves, we shall be cheering on our regional athletes – and those international athletes who have been training here.”

The Government Olympic Executive has produced a handy ‘toolkit’ for host communities wishing to celebrate.

An online version can be found at culture.gov.uk/publications /9005.aspx