Sheffield is to be the home of the new Institute of Sport.

Its bid, put together by two hospital trusts, two universities and Sheffield City Council will build on the sporting facilities for the World Student Games and a planned National Ice Centre.

Chris Smith: "A historic moment for sport"

The Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Chris Smith, said the Sheffield headquarters would be given between £40m and £60m of National Lottery money.

Altogether, some £160m of lottery funding will be made available by the Home Country Sports Councils to finance the new network of facilities which will make up the institute.

Culture Secretary Chris Smith talks about the selection of Sheffield (13")

Mr Smith said: "The joint decision taken by ministers and the United Kingdom Sport Council is a historic moment for sport.

"It fires the starting gun for the next stage in a process which I believe will provide our very best sporting talent with the facilities and back-up to help them challenge and beat the rest of the world.

"Sheffield will be the heart of that network - setting the standards and driving the dream."

John Alderson of the Sheffield Consortium welcomes the choice of Sheffield (16")

Two other sites were shortlisted, one in the East Midlands, the other at Upper Heyford in Oxfordshire.

As a consolation prize, Mr Smith said he had asked the English Sports Council to explore what part the Central and Upper Heyford consortia could play in the new network of sporting facilities.
 

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