Sheffield is spearheading the national drive to create a legacy of increased physical activity from the London 2012 Olympics.

The city has been given £10m Olympic legacy funding to get more people physically active and so improve the city's overall health and economic productivity.

Sheffield, along with Loughborough and London, will host one of three hubs which will form the country's first National Sports and Exercise Medicine Centre of Excellence.

Steve Brailey, chief executive of Sheffield International Venues, which operates 19 sport, leisure and entertainment venues in Sheffield and North Derbyshire, said: "This announcement recognises and builds on what has already been achieved in Sheffield.

"It acknowledges the unique strengths the city and its partners have in all aspects of sport and exercise - not just the facilities and the athletes that use them - but across the board. We look forward to passing on our knowledge about increasing participation in physical activity to this project."

A key focus of the Sheffield hub will be on a partnership with city employers to promote excellence in workforce health and wellbeing. Richard Wright, Executive Director of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce said: "What this announcement shows is that Sheffield and its region have some unique strengths that are being recognised nationally.

"The World Student Games started an era of sustained investment in facilities and expertise. We truly are the city of sport and we are now turning it into the city of applied sport to promote health and fitness in the population, which will, in turn, grow our economy and support jobs. This is a great day for Sheffield."

The national Centre, announced by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, will promote exercise and fitness and treat injuries caused by exercise and conditions caused by lack of exercise. The government is funding the £30m project as part of its key 2012 Olympic bid commitments and will be a lasting legacy of the Games.

The Sheffield hub will be run by the city's two universities and the NHS. Sir Andrew Cash, Chief Executive, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "This is fantastic news because our vision is to be recognised as the city that created a culture of physical activity within its communities and individuals through the legacy of London 2012."

"This will be a long term strategy intended to use the once-in- a lifetime opportunity of having the Olympic Games in this country to create a sustainable legacy for the population and workforce of Sheffield."

Sir Andrew added: "The focus of the Sheffield arm of the three Olympic legacy centres of excellence is centred on the promotion of physical activity and improvement of the health and productivity of the people of Sheffield.

"The city is well placed to ensure this project is successful.

"Sheffield has world-class sport and medical facilities complemented by world-class research and educational programmes in the city's two universities.

"In addition Sheffield has award winning public health and voluntary sector programmes aimed at engaging "at risk" groups and communities and reducing health in-equalities.

"We intend to use cutting edge research and best clinical practice to make a real difference not just to those people already active in sport at all levels but also to encourage a develop improved health and wellbeing among the population in general."