British gold medallists Christine Ohuruogu and Conrad Williams have spoken out against the proposed demolition of the athletics track at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre.
New renovation plans could see the historic track and possibly the whole stadium demolished in favour of building two new schools.
The stadium used to host Diamond League meetings before the Olympic Stadium was built in East London.
Speaking to the Guardian, Christine Ohuruogu has expressed her sadness at the possible closing of one of Britain’s most historic athletics tracks:
“It’s a shame that a pivotal, memorable and hugely historical icon of British athletics is on the brink of being taken away.”
Ohuruogu has raced multiple times at Crystal Palace in the Diamond League and Grand Prix races, and insists the venue will be missed by many athletes:;
“It was not just a track, it was a place where athletes – local and international, elite and club, juniors, seniors, masters and everything else in between – competed, watched, cheered, supported. It is a track holding a myriad of memories for those fortunate enough to be at the National Sports Centre. Grassroots to champions, that is Crystal Palace athletics track.”
Conrad Williams, who took gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, still trains at the sports centre, and believes the demolition of the track will be a big loss for him and the country’s future athletes.
“Taking away the track is a bad move. I’m angry about that. It’s my base, I was just training there yesterday, and to lose that, I don’t know where I’d go.
“We see Crystal Palace as the best of the best. If they didn’t have Crystal Palace they probably wouldn’t have become athletes.”
The Greater London Authority are considering a number of options for the stadium, some of which involve demolishing the track and keeping the stands or vice versa.
The decision will be made with assistance from the public. Over 3000 people have signed a petition urging the GLA to reconsider scrapping the athletics track.
