21 January 2016

Olympic and world heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis-Hill’s (coach: Toni Minichiello) Rio 2016 preparations are on track following a major upgrade of training facilities at the English Institute of Sport – Sheffield (EIS Sheffield).

Venue operator, SIV, UK Sport and Sport England have jointly invested in a new Olympic-standard 130m sprint track in the Athletics Arena at EIS Sheffield – where Ennis-Hill trains and the Indoor British Championships will be held on 27-28 February.

To support Jessica and her fellow British athletes, the six-lane track has been re-laid with a high-tech material to simulate the conditions they will be competing on at the Rio 2016 Games. 

Jessica said: “I’m really pleased with the help and support of SIV, UK Sport and British Athletics in getting the track upgraded at EISS in time for our final preparations leading in to the coming season and of course Rio. Sheffield has the best athletics indoor facilities in the country I am incredibly fortunate as a local to have this on my doorstep.”

The track, designed for 100m sprint, hurdles and long jump training, is also used by the local community for athletics sessions. The EIS Sheffield also will play host to the country’s best athletes will gather on the weekend of 27 and 28 February as they battle to be crowned British champion.

Heptathlon star Katarina Johnson-Thompson set a new British high jump record at the 2015 event, while Jenny Meadows won her seventh indoor title and British 100m record holder Dina Asher-Smith took the women’s 60m British title.

For more information about the British Indoor Championships please visit http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/british-athletics-series/indoor-british-championships/