RUNNING star Diane Modahl helped unveil an elite training track which will be used by local athletes after the Commonwealth Games.

The 400m, eight-lane running track will form part of the English Institute of Sport (EIS).

It is part of the Sportcity complex and during the 2002 Games will be used as a warm-up area for athletes as they prepare to compete.

Pupils from local schools got a preview of the £12m project located next to the Commonwealth Games Stadium in East Manchester.

The youngsters, from six nearby schools, saw how the English Institute of Sport will consist of a 200m indoor running track, six squash courts and a show court, together with gym and physiotherapy facilities.

The building will also house the headquarters of the Squash Racquets Association and offices for Sport England.

After the Games, it will be used for training by Sale and Manchester Harriers. The other building being constructed at Sportcity is the Manchester Indoor Tennis Centre which will have six indoor courts and changing facilities.

Important

There will also be six outdoor courts and car parking spaces at the centre.

Diane said: ''This facility is particularly exciting as my running club, Sale Harriers, is going to take over the running track at the end of the Games.

''Hopefully this will encourage more people to get involved in athletics, especially youngsters.''

Chairman of the EIS, former Olympic athlete Steve Cram, said: ''Manchester will play an important role in the development of the EIS as our national headquarters will be there.

''It's exciting to think these facilities will soon be hosting such a prestige sporting event and hopefully making a long-term impact on the sporting success of our up-and-coming athletes.''

The facilities are funded by the city council, the Lawn Tennis Association, and Sport England which has given £90m worth of Lottery funding towards the overall Sportcity project.

Tweet