Question mark over future of stadium that inspired a world beater.
It is just over four months since Jessica Ennis, owner of the world’s finest female abs, romped to victory in the 800 metres to claim a gold medal in the London 2012 heptathlon and crown what has since been dubbed Super Saturday.
And yet, despite pre-Games promises of legacy facilities, there is now a question mark over the very facility that inspired Ennis (among others) to take up athletics and which still performs a key role in her training regime.
According to a report by the BBC, demolition of the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield is just one of the options under consideration by the cash-strapped local authority. Reports suggest that the closure and demolition of the arena – opened in 1991 – could save the council half a million pounds per year.
Mike Corden, chairman of City of Sheffield Athletics Club, whose members train at Don Valley Stadium, said its closure would be an “obvious blow” to the city’s athletes. Jessica Ennis’s coach, Toni Minichiello, said the stadium was crucial to her for outdoor training but she would remain in Sheffield if it closed.
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