DERBY'S greatest post-war athlete has joined the row over the crumbling Moorways sports track – labelling the crisis "absolutely disgusting''.

Former world champion long jumper Fiona May also warned that Derby could miss out on a role during the London 2012 Olympic Games if it was not improved.

Fiona, 40, visited Moorways during a summer stay with her family in Littleover – and said she was deeply disappointed by what she saw.

Now, she has spoken out after reading a Derby Telegraph article about how the 400m eight-lane track, at Moorways Sports Centre, is "disintegrating".

Keith Bullock, chairman of Derby Athletics Club, said the state of the track might force city Olympic hopefuls to travel to other cities to train. He accused the city council of failing to help its most talented athletes fulfil their potential in the run-up to the 2012 Games.

Last night, a leading councillor said there was no suggestion the track would not be replaced, but he could not give a date for when this would be.

Fiona, who started her athletics career in Derby before emigrating to Italy where she became world champion, said: "I can't believe it – it's absolutely disgusting. If it wasn't for Moorways, I wouldn't have been a world junior champion.

"Where are the youngsters going to train if the track isn't repaired? This will have a massive impact on them.

"Moorways was the start of my athletics story and I'm disappointed to hear others might not have the same opportunity."

The Derby Telegraph previously reported how a study by consultant PMP Genesis had concluded the track needed replacing by spring next year, at a cost of up to £400,000.

Mr Bullock said if this is not done, he feared it was "quite possible" Moorways would lose its track licence and certification from England Athletics to allow it to host national athletics meetings within 12 months.

The PMP Genesis report also said the council needed to act quickly to create an Olympic legacy for Derby.

Fiona said: "A lot of national and international teams will not be able to go to London to train and prepare for the Games and will be looking elsewhere.

"Derby could have been the perfect place.

"I started at the track at 12 and have some great memories but, if it remains like this, youngsters and other athletes will go elsewhere.

"There must be some solution because the council cannot let this track die."

Fiona joined Derby Ladies' Athletics Club before she was a teenager.

The former Derby Moor School pupil's potential was first spotted at Moorways. She represented Great Britain at junior level when she won the European Junior Championships, in 1987, and the World Junior Championships, in 1988.

But Fiona, who married Italian pole vaulter Gianni Iapichino, felt she was forced to leave the UK to achieve her dreams.

She decided to adopt her husband's nationality, becoming an Italian citizen in 1994, and earned world-champion status within two years. She won 11 medals for Italy.

Fiona said: "I never got the support I needed to further my athletics over here.''

She said she believed Derby had talented athletes but the city council was in danger of losing them.

After her visit to Moorways, she said: "It's really, sad. I would hate to think that we are losing athletics champions because they can't train. It really annoys me."

Councillor Alan Grimadell, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: "We are over the moon with what our Derby athletes are achieving.

"There is no way we are going to stop that and we are working hard and positively with Derby Athletics Club.

"No one has said the track is not going to be replaced. We are looking to ensure it is worthy enough."

The city council previously said it was still considering developing athletics facilities elsewhere in Derby as part of its £50 million leisure strategy.

See the November issue of The Derbyshire Magazine for a full interview with Fiona about her life in Italy.