THE DECISION to back the velodrome project in Newport means a Gwent-trained cycle star will step onto the podium at a future Olympics.

Newport council leaders have backed the £7 million project to bring the Welsh national velodrome to Spytty stadium.

But there is also concern that developments such as the velodrome are making life more difficult for other sports clubs.

Gwent already boasts some of the top names in amateur cycling in Britain and it is hoped the velodrome will be a further boost to the sport.

Mike Davies, youth development officer for Newport Phoenix cycle club, said: "Until the Manchester velodrome opened, Britain was nowhere.

"At the last Olympics we were probably the most successful nation. "That's the difference a velodrome makes. It will not be ready until 2003 but look further down the line and we will have someone from Newport winning an Olympic medal."

South-east Wales is one of the strongest regions in the country for cycling. Newport Phoenix is officially the fastest-growing club in Britain and Newport Cycle Speedway club has won a clutch of titles.

The facility will also be used to introduce local children to the sport and will be available for south Wales clubs to use. Mr Davies said: "Ask any cyclist what they want and they will say a velodrome in their backyard. Newport council has been very forward looking in this."

Newport beat off competition from four other Welsh councils, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen, Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot.

The council's Cabinet yesterday gave its formal support for the project. Cabinet member for leisure, Councillor Glyn Jarvis, said: "This is the first facility of its kind in Wales and only the second in the UK.

"In selecting Newport, the Sportlot national panel said they were impressed by the detail and quality of our submission."

Councillor John Jenkins said attracting the velodrome was "a great achievement for Newport".

The council's head of leisure, Ian Varah, said: "Cycling has a high profile following the success at the Sydney Olympics.

"The velodrome will pick up international televised events which will increase the profile of Newport."

Councillor John Pembridge said: "I fully support the velodrome idea but we also have to look at other sports.

"There is concern among football organisations that whenever anything is built, it is built on a football pitch."

Officials have said that if pitches are lost during development, efforts were made to replace them elsewhere.