The facility has been constructed on the site of the ill-fated Picketts Lock national athletics stadium, which never came to fruition.

That failure caused the Government and UK Athletics worldwide embarrassment when it was announced London would be unable to stage the 2005 World Championships, a decision that overshadowed the start of its Olympic bid in 2003 and led some officials to fear it could it valuable votes.

The facility is part of the compensation to UK Athletics and is the largest indoor and outdoor athletics centre serving London and the South of England and houses the only indoor 200 metre track in the region. 

 

The indoor centre comprises a 130m sprint straight, permanent seating for 500 spectators and full indoor jumps and throws facilities. 

 

In addition, the Centre houses specialist areas for the delivery of sport science and medical support services by the English Institute of Sport.

 

This provision includes rooms for physiotherapy treatment and medical consultation and also a strength and conditioning gym ensuring access to the vital professional support necessary for the development of elite athletes.

 

The Centre significantly improves the training opportunities for London based athletes preparing for the 2008 and 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 

Among the top athletes who will train at the centre are Commonwealth champions, decathlete Dean Macey and triple jumper Phillips Idowu, 2002 European long jumpi silver medallist Jade Johnson and Andy Turner, who has succeeded Colin Jackson as Britain's leading hurdler.

London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe, who ran for local club Haringey during his career, said: "My former club has gained a world-class new sporting home that will help it nurture new generations of Olympians and Paralympians.

"The Lee Valley Athletics Centre brings cutting-edge facilities within reach of millions of Londoners and people in the south east."

Jowell added: "As our preparations for the 2012 Games continue, centres like this will be very important.

"This will be a hub of training and support for those talented athletes aspiring for the podiums of 2008 and 2012."

 

The Centre will be a focal point for indoor competition and community use and in the packed 2007 competition calendar, the Centre will host the semi final of the Indoor City Challenge on 28 January, Jumps International match between GB & NI and the Netherlands on 21 February and the British Masters Championships in March.

 

Designed by David Morley Architects, the eye catching Centre makes the maximum use of natural light and ventilation thereby saving energy and creating the optimum training environment for athletes.

 

David Moorcroft, Chief Executive of UK Athletics said: "I am delighted to see the Centre open, thanks to the legacy money we secured in 2001.

 

"All credit to Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and the other funding partners for their persistence in developing this fantastic new athletics faciity.

 

"The Lee Valley Athletics Centre provides a long awaited and much needed training and competition venue for London and the South region.

 

"Our performance team is looking forward to using this world class facility as one of our four high performance centres for ou elite athletes"