Watch Olympic Athletes in Manchester

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Maybe, like so many of us, you missed out on tickets to see Olympic athletes in action.

Or perhaps you're coming away from London 2012 inspired by what you've seen?

So how can you get out and support your favourite Olympic stars next year?

2012 Olympics: Watch Olympic athletes in Manchester

Manchester is a great place to start. With links to several top British athletes, from record-breaking "face of the Games" Jessica Ennis to golden boy Ben Ainslie, plus a host of world-class sporting facilities, Manchester is all set to bask in the post-Games limelight.

Here's our guide to help you catch those Olympic stars in action over the next few months:

1) The Great City Games will be back in Manchester in May next year. This event, which takes place in both Newcastle and Manchester, is free to attend and takes place on a purpose-built course on Deansgate. Last year's stars included Trafford Athletics Club's golden girl Jessica Ennis. To find out more, check out www.greatcitygames.org .

2) Manchester is, of course, the home of British Cycling – and to nearly all our gold medal-winning British cyclists. So why not nip down to the famous National Cycling Centre on Stuart Street to watch the likes of triple gold medal-winning Bolton boy Jason Kenny in action? To find out more about spectator access on team training days, call the centre on 0161 223 2244. Or if you're interested in watching some of the next big events on the British cycling calendar go along to the National Track Championships at the end of September, where you'll see the big stars contesting the Olympic disciplines. Details will appear on britishcycling.org.uk shortly.

3) Mr Manchester, Micah Richards, may have been strangely excluded from England's Euro 2012 campaign but he was very much present in Stuart Pearce's British eleven. At the Etihad Stadium Micah found himself on the bench towards the end of last season but hopefully his spell in the limelight will propel him back into the starting eleven. The best way to get tickets to see Micah in action for Man City is to become a member. Visit tickets.mcfc.co.uk for more information.

4) Across the canal, Ryan Giggs will probably still be knocking in goals for Manchester United. Who knows – making his international tournament debut at the age of 39 may even have given Giggsy a new lease of life, not that he needs it. You can find out more about season ticket availability at Old Trafford here , but if that's a little bit beyond your price range, keep an eye out for pre season friendlies or United Cup programme, where tickets are a little easier to come by.

5) Just as exhilarating as football but not quite as pricey is hockey – and our GB hockey teams were among the stars of London 2012. In Cheshire, you can go and watch high-flying hockey league side Bowdon Hightown, home to Team GB player Sally Walton.



Generally, matches aren't ticketed although you may want to spend a couple of quid on a programme as a token "entry fee". There may also be some international matches coming up following the teams' Olympics success. For opportunities to watch or play hockey go to www.hockeynation.info

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