Coe opens new Gateshead Stadium

The new stadium, in the North-East of England, boasts top quality sports facilities, a community based sports centre and a broad range of sport-related education and training programmes.

Lord Coe said, "I am very grateful for the valuable support that we had from the North East of England during the Bid and I am pleased to see that the enthusiasm is still extremely high.

"Our vision is to reach young people all around the world and to connect them with the inspirational power of the Games - so they are inspired to choose sport. This vision must start right here at home in the UK.

"The Games will only last six weeks, but the physical legacy will last for fifty years. And the "soft" legacy the social and economic changes that are enshrined in our plans will last a lifetime."

Lord Coe KBE toured the new facility with the leader of Gateshead Council, Councillor Mick Henry, where local school children, Gateshead College students and club athletes were taking part in a team challenge.

15 May 2006