Bad weather threat to junior Olympics

HUNDREDS of children could miss out on the chance to emulate Great Britain’s Beijing heroes with some events of the 23rd Saddleworth Olympics under threat of the weather.

Parks bosses are struggling to get Churchill Playing Fields, Greenfield, ready for the three-week event following weeks of rain.

This means next Saturday’s popular parade and opening ceremony there could be cancelled and the athletics on the same day. The football, rugby, rounders and netball events later in the programme may also be in doubt.

But organisers say that basketball, badminton, cricket and tennis competitions due to be held elsewhere will go ahead.

Parts of the playing fields are under water and a Big Saturday fun event for young people due to be held tomorrow has already been cancelled.

Around 1,000 young people aged from seven to 17 took part in last year’s Saddleworth Olympics and chairman Ben Hilton fumed: “It’s absolutely scandalous. It is the only sporting facility in Saddleworth.

“During the Olympic Games the sport where we did not get as many medals as hoped was track and field. At grass roots level we haven’t got a pitch that is fit to be used because it is being used for everything but what it should be.

“It is difficult to complain about the state of the pitches if they are used for football and rugby. The weather is horrendous and they get cut up. That’s life.

“To have the running track ruined, to have people driving cars over it for other events, is scandalous.

“I went down and there was a dog show with cars and caravans. That’s not what a sports running track is designed for.

“It is disappointing for the children of Saddleworth.”

Oldham’s parks operations manager Keith Hoyle said staff were doing their best to get the playing fields ready in time.

However, they are unable to repair the damage and mark out the pitches because of the waterlogging.

Mr Hoyle does not want to cancel at the last minute and said: “We are fighting a losing battle against the elements and time. It isn’t looking good at this stage and we will have to reassess it next week.

“The weather has been atrocious. It is not only the fact we have had a deluge of rain, there is no sun and wind to dry it up. When various events have been on Churchill Playing Fields over July and August we haven’t been able to put right what has been put wrong.

“We have got material waiting to sort it but 25 per cent of the running track is under water, we just can’t get on. We will try out best but we can’t beat the weather.”