July 2 - Sebastian Coe will later this month to return to the track he trained on in the build-up to winning his second Olympic 1500 metres title in 1984 to declare the first part of a £2.3 million ($3.4 million) refurbishment scheme officially finished at a special ceremony.



The QEII Stadium in Enfield had fallen badly into disrepair since Coe trained there in the first half of the 1980s as he prepared to defend his Olympic title in Los Angeles.

It was used as a dumping ground, with fly-tippers dumping rubble on the starting track after Enfield Council left the gates unlocked two years ago.

But now a new track has been laid and Coe, the London 2012 chairman, will be guest of honour at the ceremony on July 12.

The track is not expected to be open until the public until 2011 following the next part of the scheme which involves the refurbishment of the outside of the Grade II listed stadium.

Ray Gibbins, member of the QEII project board overseeing the plans, said: "It is a great legacy for the kids of the Borough who have not had a stadium for several years - and even when it was open it was a tip.

"We are just so thrilled it has been brought back again."

The stadium will eventually have hurdles, a high jump and long jump section, but no facilities for long throws such as discus or javelin or pole vault.