Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what stadiums there are in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) London capable of holding international swimming events under the auspices of FINA; [11019]
(2) what assessment she has made of the level of investment needed to upgrade United Kingdom (a) international athletics and (b) international swimming stadiums to international competition standards; and if she will make a statement. [11020]
§ Mr. Caborn[holding answer 29 October 2001]: There are a number of athletics and swimming facilities across the United Kingdom that are used regularly for international athletics and swimming events which meet IAAF and FINA standards. The main athletics stadiums are: Crystal Palace in London, the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, the Gateshead Stadium, the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield, the Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh and the Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow. The main swimming centres used for international 50 metre competition are the Ponds Forge Centre in Sheffield and the new Manchester Aquatics Centre.
804WSport England has set aside £21 million from the National Lottery to fund a regional high performance centre at Crystal Palace which will have improved facilities for athletics, boxing, swimming and tennis. The refurbishment will bring the existing 50 metre pool up to FINA standards.