Jonathan Edwards Madrid 2002 (© Getty Images Allsport)
Jonathan Edwards (GBR), Olympic Champion and World Record holder for the Triple Jump, opened an IAAF High Performance Training Centre in the Latvian capital Riga yesterday, in the company of national sports personalities, politicians and diplomatic representatives.
The 36 year-old, who win the Commonwealth title this summer, broke into his rest period to perform the duty on behalf of the IAAF.
"I think the establishment of a centre in this part of the world is an excellent idea and I am pleased to lend my support to the development programme here," said Edwards.
"There is so much talent in this region and I'm sure even more will be unearthed with such high-grade facilities now available.
"It's a positive move and another feather in the cap of the IAAF for showing such vision."
Among those intending to use the facility on a daily basis will be Stanislavs Olijars, winner of the European 110m Hurdles silver medal behind Colin Jackson this summer.
His mother Ludmila, herself a former world-class high hurdler and now a highly respected coach, will be the centre's first director.