BMX star: My sport can help cut youth crime

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Britain's Olympic gold medal hopeful praised new cycling facilities in the capital, and said they would inspire more people to take up the sport.

The triple world champion, 23, was visiting Haggerston Park track - one of five new BMX venues that have been built as a legacy of the Games.

Reade - who began racing at 10 after buying her first BMX for £1 - said the sport offered young people "a way out ... I know of so many people who have become world-class at BMX racing who would admit things could have been so different if they hadn't been introduced to the sport.

"You only have to look at the riots last year to see there is a need for sports like BMX to step up, especially in urban areas."

The new tracks are part of the Lee Valley Regional Park BMX Legacy Project. There is one in each Olympic borough: Hackney (the Haggerston Park track), Newham, Greenwich, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.

Reade added: "Haggerston can help build friendship and respect among young people."

It opened in summer and cost about £40,000, paid for by the Mayor's Legacy Fund, Access Sport, and councils. It runs half-term clubs for children.

The Olympic BMX track is next to the velodrome in Stratford.

The velodrome test event starts today, with the UCI Track Cycling World Cup.