OLYMPIC hopeful Peter Riley is flying the flag for Leigh once more.

The international middle distance and cross country runner has rejoined Leigh Harriers from Trafford after a six year break.

And the 24-year-old athletics star who donned the green and white shirt of his local club at the weekend is now looking forward to a bright future on a proposed new track at the planned Leigh Sports Village.

Peter, of Mill Lane, Leigh, who will represent Britain in a Euro 10k track challenge in Slovenia on Sunday (April 3) has recently returned from a stint of warm weather and altitude training in South Africa.

There he was in the presence of some the track's brightest stars, including Olympic 800m aces Wilson Kipketa and Maria Mutola and Britain's Olympic bronze medallist, Kelly Holmes.

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ut the cost of training to reach his Olympic dream is a weight on Peter's shoulders.

Though appeals have brought in helpful one-off sponsorship from his old company, Redwaters, Pataks and free massage therapy from Mill Lane-based Pat Ratcliffe, Peter needs even more financial support.

Though at the end of 2003 he led the GB squad home, finished 16th in the European Cross Country Championships and is Britain's second fastest 10,000m runner, he is still unable to qualify for a lottery grant.

Though he is working hard to qualify for the Athens Olympics later this year and to lower his 10,000m and 5000m times, Peter's long term target is the 2008 Games.

US business graduate Peter returned to Leigh last year from a four years athletics scholarship in New York.

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randson of the ex-Leigh RL player of the same name, and a qualified joiner, Peter, returned from the Big Apple with a degree in marketing and is determined to make his name at the top in athletics, but needs time and backers to take him into the real big time.

The former Bedford High pupil made his first breakthrough as the English Schools' cross country champion at the age of 15.

He regularly represented Great Britain juniors and competed in the European cross country championships where he was spotted by US and Irish coach Nick Brown who offered him the chance of a US scholarship.

Peter flew out to take up his place at Iona College, just outside the city, in 1999 where he gained All-American honours and found everything from his education to board and living and travel expenses were paid.

He captured both 5000m and 10,000m titles in different states experiencing meets in California, Louisiana, Illinois and Indiana.

On leaving school Peter took up a joinery apprenticeship with Redwaters Construction attending Wigan and Leigh College on day release.

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e then decided to study for a degree in building studies, during which time his talents registered with the US scout.

He said: "America was a brilliant experience but my time there was up and I decided to come back so I didn't lose touch with British athletics.

"I decided I had to give the chance of reaching the Olympics a go, but I need finance, the freedom to train as hard as I can, help with expenses to go out for warm weather and altitude training and for medical costs."

He said: "For someone like me who runs 100 miles a week massage and physio is essential but costly. I'm grateful to Pat for her invaluable help.

"I came back and decided I'd really like to give it a go to make the Olympic squad. I really think I can do something.

"I decided to fly the flag for Leigh because I believe Trafford has taken me as far as I can go and I am delighted to be back.

"I really hope Leigh gets the Sports Village and a new track. It is about time Leigh had something good. So many good athletes in the past have left the club because of the lack of facilities.

"I can't see traffic congestion being a problem, Hilton Park is already on the by-pass so what's the difference in moving location.

"Running is not that big a sport and so there won't be enough traffic to clog up the by-pass. Anyway most athletes train in the evening when all the traffic has gone. I look forward to it."

Anyone willing to help Peter can contact him on 01942 514058 or by e-mail: rileypj@hotmail.com