Team GB Paris medallist to reopen leisure centres

Team GB sprinters with their Bronze medalsImage source, PA
Image caption,

Richard Kilty, left, was on the podium in Paris after Team GB secured a Bronze in the 4x100m relay

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A Team GB medallist has hotfooted it back from the Paris Olympics in time to cut the ribbon on two new-look leisure centres in a Leicestershire town.

Richard Kilty ran in the heats as part of Team GB’s 4x100m sprint team that won Bronze, after heartbreak four years ago in Tokyo when his Silver was stripped following an anti-doping rule violation against team-mate CJ Ujah.

Kilty will be launching open days at Waterfield Leisure Centre at 09:00 BST and then Melton Sports Village in Melton Mowbray on Saturday.

As well as meeting members of the public, he will be taking part in gym challenges at Waterfield for visitors to compete against.

An Olympic Torch from the 1948 London Olympics will also be on display at Waterfield, and both sites will be free for visitors to try out the refurbished facilities and activity sessions from 09:00 to 13:00.

Refurbishment work at the two leisure centres includes new equipment, an extended gym and cycling studio at Waterfield, and a new soft play, group fitness studio and health hub at Melton Sports Village.

Changing rooms and reception areas have been refurbished, and changes to make the facilities more energy efficient such as new pool covers and solar panels are under way.

Melton Borough Council leader Pip Allnatt said: “Our partners at Everyone Active have done an outstanding job upgrading and modernising the leisure centre and facilities.”

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