A new sports and exercise medicine centre - one of the first of its kind in the UK - has opened at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC).

Designed to benefit both elite athletes and the public, the facility is part of the National Indoor Athletics Centre and will support sport and exercise medicine research. Facilities and services at the centre include ultrasound, sports and clinical biomechanics, echocardiography, rehabilitiation and physiotherapy.

Wales national football team manager Gary Speed said: "It is a forward thinking attitude and innovative system here at the new Sport and Exercise Medicine Centre; trying to improve performance - not just with athletes, but the health of the general public." Dr John Fairclough, professor of sports medicine at UWIC, added: "Our links with fellow universities in Wales and the South West of England will allow us to develop a pre-eminent research centre for sport and exercise medicine."

Postgraduate medical education and a range of clinical services will also be supported by the new UWIC facility, the opening of which was also attended by First Minister Carwyn Jones. Image: UWIC