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400m world champion Christine Ohuruogu has launched the world’s first ever Compact Athletics Facility, designed to allow track and field facilities to be built in places where there is limited space is limited.

With funding from Sport England, England Athletics and the London Marathon Trust, and the support of UK Athletics (UKA), the new facility at Stoke Newington School will give both school children and the local community more opportunities to take part in athletics.

Double Olympic medallist Ohuruogu, who grew up a matter of miles from the new facility, spoke of how she hoped to see future stars of British athletics uncovered on the Stoke Newington track.

She said: “Visiting schools like this and inspiring the next generation is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. It’s an absolute pleasure to be here to open a brand new type of athletics facility, giving thousands of local kids a chance to take part in the sport that has done so much for me.

“It’s great to see our sport’s governing bodies really taking the legacy of London 2012 seriously and getting creative with ways to get athletics into the inner-city. It’s crazy to think that Hackney did not have its own athletics track until now and the Compact Facility is a really good solution in a busy area with a lot of young stars waiting to be uncovered.”

The Compact Athletics Facility is the first of its kind. The brain child of England Athletics, Sport England provided development and technical support and commissioning architects to bring the idea into reality. The Facility includes a sprint straight, a long jump straight and pit, a high jump area, a throws area and a running trail around the school. 

Sport England is working with England Athletics on plans for further Compact Athletics Facilities to help increase access to athletics in cities and rural areas up and down the country.

Sport England Strategic Lead, Hannah Bladen, said: “We are looking forward to working with England Athletics and UKA to develop more Compact Athletics Facilities across the country.  They provide an excellent place for young people and adults to get into the sport of athletics, enabling them to develop their skills and interest either for fun or for competition.  It is great to see this pilot project come to fruition and I look forward to seeing many more.’

The Hackney facility is a key part of England Athletics’ aim to get more people into the sport over the next four years across the country. The concept has been designed with community engagement in mind and is part of their successful Run! Project, which has been linked to significant number of people taking part in the capital prior to and since the 2012 London Games.   

England Athletics Chief Executive Chris Jones was excited to see the idea become a reality. He said: “2012 left a positive and indelible mark on communities up and down the land, particularly in London. This facility will contribute hugely as a blueprint for other areas to follow. We are excited by the opportunities this development will bring as we strive to encourage more young people and adults to take part in our wonderful sport.”

With the help of local community partners and the local athletics club, Hackney Hurricanes, the facility will continue to drive up participation in athletics across the borough and play a significant role in getting more Londoners to be more active more often.