Steve Cram MBE was joined by local schoolchildren as a new sculpture, depicting an athlete on a globe, was unveiled outside the new national headquarters of the English Institute of Sport at Sportcity.

The bronze statue, created by sculptor Colin Spofforth, was commissioned to celebrate the Spirit of Friendship Festival. The sculpture is 30 feet high and weighs seven tonnes making it the largest bronze sculpture dedicated to sport in the UK. It was sculpted in a little over eight weeks and cast and finished in three months.

Fourteen children from local schools in the East Manchester Education Action Zone also took part in the ceremony by starting the countdown to the unveiling. They were specially chosen to attend after winning a competition held among 720 children to design their own sculpture.

Sculptor Colin said: “Everyone involved has done everything possible and more to make this sculpture happen in time for the Games - it’s fantastic to see it here in this amazing setting.“

Jo Hartley, National Festival director at Manchester 2002, said: “The Runner is a lasting legacy for the people of Manchester created by an extraordinarily talented artist.“