The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Municipal Executive, representatives of various entities, clubs, athletes, and the general public. The new sports facility, integrated into the Municipal Stadium, features a 400-meter tartan track with six lanes, complemented by a sector for horizontal jumps (long jump and triple jump).
The project originated from a winning proposal in the Municipality's Participatory Budget, submitted by Elisabete Pataco, which initially envisioned a 120-meter track with four lanes and a jump pit, with an estimated investment of 46,000 euros. The municipality decided to expand the project, increasing the total investment to approximately 500,000 euros, with 255,000 euros financed by EU funds from the Centro 2030 Regional Program.
Pedro Dias congratulated the Municipality on the project's completion, considering the track «a quality facility, capable of promoting and helping to develop the sports and educational associative movement», thereby encouraging healthy lifestyles. He highlighted the municipality's work, referring to Oliveira do Bairro as «a municipality with a proven track record in Sport» and with an investment per inhabitant higher than the national average in supporting associations and sports facilities, according to data from the National Statistics Institute.
The Secretary of State emphasized the importance of the new infrastructure meeting the requirements for official homologation, allowing for both regular athletics practice and formal competitive events. Duarte Novo, the Mayor, underscored the participatory origin and public nature of the track, stating that it «was born from citizen participation» and «will serve the entire community», not belonging exclusively to any single club or sport.
Duarte Novo further stressed the new facility's role in valuing the tradition and achievements of athletics in the municipality, acknowledging the efforts of clubs, leaders, coaches, and athletes over generations. He mentioned names such as Luís Novo, Anália Rosa, Filipe Pedro, Carla Martinho, and Solange Jesus, as well as international athletes like Leandro Ramos and Omar Elkhatib, and emerging talents including Beatriz Azevedo, Duarte Vilas Boas, and Isaac Cruz.
With this infrastructure, Oliveira do Bairro strengthens its sports facilities network, improves conditions for the development of athletics, the training of new athletes, and the promotion of physical activity among the population. The municipality has been part of the «Município Amigo do Desporto» (Sports-Friendly Municipality) program since 2021.
