World-class paralympic athlete Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson officially opened Knowsley’s new Mondo athletics track at the weekend.
The six lane Mondo track, at Kirkby Sports College, provides the fastest surface currently used in track and field in the world. It was opened in advance of the international two-day Paralympics Grand Prix, which took place on 21 and 22 May, with over 90 athletes from 10 nations competing in a number of events.
Despite difficult weather conditions over the weekend, nine UK athletes and one Romanian have already achieved confirmed qualifying times for the 2012 Paralympics. It’s hoped a few more records will be confirmed once fully ratified by the International Paralympic Committee.
The new track was funded by NHS Knowsley and Knowsley Council, who are committed to providing excellent facilities that are particularly accessible for para-athletes.
As part of this commitment, weekly athletics sessions take place for 7-16 year olds at the international Mondo track every Thursday, between 5.30 –7pm. If you are a novice, or an aspiring Paralympic or Olympic star, call the Sports Development Team on 0151 443 2120 for further information.
As well as the new six lane 400m specialist Mondo track, Kirkby Sports College boasts a floodlit athletics track, all weather pitch, Multi Use Games Area (providing facilities for football, tennis and basketball), all weather cricket nets, activity studios, fitness suite and two sports halls accommodating a wide range of sports.
The Romanian Paralympic Team has also chosen it as their pre-Olympic games training camp.
Cllr Eddie Connor, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Community and Culture said: “This new athletics track is a fantastic asset in Knowsley, and is available all year round due to its floodlighting. I was pleased to welcome Tanni to Knowsley, who is a magnificent role model to budding athletes of all abilities. The track and subsequent games demonstrate that people of all abilities can take part in sport and here in Knowsley, we have world-class facilities to help people achieve their goals.”
Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson added “I was delighted to officially open Knowsley’s new Mondo athletics track and see for myself the excellent sporting facilities Knowsley has to offer. I hope that the fantastic facilities offered here will help to inspire people to take up sport, achieve their goals and possibly produce future Paralympic and Olympic medallists.”
Baroness Tanni Grey officially opens the new Mondo athletics track at Kirkby Sports College with (l-r) Sheena Ramsey, Chief Executive of Knowsley Council, Baljit Gandhi, Principal of Kirkby Sports College, Cllr Eddie Connor and Andrew McCormick, Service Director - Leisure and Culture.
Comments