Soggy Olympic torch is relit

Saddleworth Olympics are under starters orders at last.

But don’t expect any athletics because the running track at Churchill Playing Fields, Greenfield, is still under water.

And the opening ceremony has also had to be scrapped.

However, many events have been salvaged after last weekend’s washout.

On Saturday morning there will be junior netball and rugby on the top football pitches.

Tomorrow will see basketball and Sunday will see rounders on the allweather pitch at Saddleworth School.

Saddleworth Olympics draws around 1,200 youngsters from villages throughout Saddleworth to compete in a wide variety of events.

A further blow this year was the closure of the Saddleworth Pool for extensions.

Olympic committee chairman Ben Hilton said: “We are aiming to stage about 80 per cent of the events.

“And we aim to continue the events next week in the three-week games.

“Not having the athletics is a massive disappointment, but we will get as many of these children involved in the rounders as possible.

“It is the taking part that is most important.

“If the track had been in better condition we might have tried to go ahead with the athletics. But it simply wasn’t fit.

“Churchill Playing Fields really do need to be drained properly. Oldham Council really needs to spend some money to get it, in reasonable condition.”