Sally Gunnell OBE opening the fitness suite at Bury Leisure Centre.

SPORTING facilities in west Suffolk which are set to become a training base for London 2012 were this weekend praised by an Olympic gold medal winner.

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Sally Gunnell scooped gold in the final of the 400m hurdles in Barcelona 20 years ago.

On Saturday, Ms Gunnell, 45, officially opened the refurbished £250,000 gym at Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre.

Later this year, the centre will become the training base for the Rwandan team.

During her visit, she spoke with fitness enthusiasts and staff at the centre.

Explaining what it takes to become an Olympic athlete, Ms Gunnell said: “You have to be very focused on what you’re doing and you’ve got to have good facilities and equipment.

“And that is what is happening here in Bury. I want the Games to inspire as many people as possible to get there and to lead healthy lifestyles. It is great to come along to a leisure centre like this one where they have got it right.”

Ms Gunnell said she hoped the most lasting impact of the Games on the eastern region would be a healthier and happier population.

“As a spectator and as a participant, there’s nothing like it.

“I do realise how lucky I am to have won gold and I also realise that for me it is about passing on a message – get out and try things out for your health, your heart, your wellbeing.”

Warren Smyth, chief executive of the leisure centre, said the new equipment was proving very popular with members. Last year, 600,000 people used the centre.