Last Updated: Tuesday, 25 March 2008, 21:40 GMT
Cram laments Meadowbank closure
Former World 1500m champion Steve Cram hopes that plans by the Edinburgh City Council do not result in the closure of Meadowbank Stadium’s running track.
It was announced earlier this month that councillors had voted to demolish the old Stadium and replace it with a new, smaller arena.
“It’s always a shame when something like that is lost,” he told BBC Sport.
“We can’t really afford to lose sport facilities, especially in the middle of big cities.”
Cram won both the 1500m and 800m Commonwealth gold medals at the Edinburgh Stadium in 1986 and hopes if it is to close, there will be investment in replacements.
I think there’s a really good crop of youngsters up here now
Steve Cram
“Ok, it’s seen better days but we need to continue to invest in places and make sure they’re of a certain level of standard,” he added.
“Then, hopefully, young people will want to go there and take part in sport.”
Cram - speaking ahead of this weekend’s World Cross Country championships - also says though that Scottish Athletics has a bright future.
“I think there’s a really good crop of youngsters up here now, they’re doing well on the British scene, not just up here” he said.
"One or two will be doing there thing here in Edinburgh at the weekend and rubbing shoulders with some of the best athletes in the world.
“Hopefully that will inspire them as there’s definitely a lot of talent coming through in Scotland.”