ATHLETICS and cycling continue to grow while most other sports fall away.

The legacy of the 2012 London Olympics has been brought into sharp focus this week, with figures released showing the rise and fall of participation levels in individual sports.

Swimming has declined alarmingly (to 2.69m active participants), largely due to the closure of so many swimming pools nationwide, but rises for athletics (to 2.16m), cycling (2.07m) and football (1.9m) to temper the overall figures.

The sports following them are all decreasing, with golf next at 730,300.

The overall decrease is leading the government to consider taking funds from the national governing bodies and giving them to charities or other agencies that have better track records for increasing participation.

The BRADFORD ATHLETICS NETWORK (BAN) has just been awarded £20,000 for a range of initiatives to promote running – with groups based at workplaces, schools, NHS clinics and postcode areas where there are no existing clubs or groups – as well as giving more support to existing groups.

Two super-activators are being appointed for north and south Bradford.

The Airedale Athletics clubs are meeting this Monday to start implementing the plan for the city of Bradford.

Anyone interested in new running groups should contact info@sportsshare.org.

BAN's chair John Dennis has also been advising Ilkley Harriers' Shirley Wood in the plans for a proposed COMPACT ATHLETICS FACILITY at Ilkley Grammar School.

Encircling a 3G floodlit all-weather football pitch, the facility would have a 100-metre straight, a grass warm-up track and a 17-metre wide area behind one set of goals for jumping and field events.

The innovative solution takes up vastly less land than a conventional track-and-field facility.

Both Ilkley Harriers and Keighley & Craven Athletics Club's junior sections have recently hit capacity.

The Airedale clubs covering Bradford city have established a joint junior section for youngsters aged eight and upwards.

Fully coached sessions take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Horsfall Stadium, off Halifax Road in Odsal.

For further details, contact Chris Hainsworth at bradfordairedaleac@yahoo.co.uk.

The area's running clubs continue to go from strength to strength with new events.

This Sunday the revived WEST YORKSHIRE 5-MILER takes place at Birkenshaw Fire Station headquarters, while last Sunday there was the fourth running of the 15K SALTAIRE SHAKER trail run along the riverbank from Roberts Park to Buck Wood in Thackley and back.

Jennie Guard (Leeds City) was first lady and Rob James first man.