OLYMPIC silver medallist Roger Black will be the special guest at next month’s East Hampshire Sports Awards.

Black, a 400m runner who scooped two silver medals at the Atlanta games in 1996, will give a speech and answer questions at the sports awards at Old Thorns Manor Hotel near Liphook on February 11.

The East Hampshire District Sports Awards recognise sportsmen and women at every level, and the coaches, officials and volunteers who work behind the scenes to help athletes and clubs succeed.

Nominations for the sports awards close next Friday, January 8.

East Hampshire District Council spokesman Julie Butler said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Roger to the sports awards team. He’s a local example of sporting excellence and dedication that is an inspiration for anyone who strives to be the best in their sport.

“If any of the young people at the event can achieve anything close to Roger in their sporting lives, they should be very proud.”

Mrs Butler added: “Applications are coming in thick and fast and we would love to have more nominations from East Hampshire’s sporting women and teams to increase competition in all of the categories.”

The categories are junior sportsman & junior sportswoman, senior sportsman & senior sportswoman, masters sportsman & sportswoman‚ junior disability sportsperson‚ senior disability sportsperson‚ coach of the year (male or female)‚ volunteer of the year (junior & senior)‚ school team of the year‚ team of the year (junior & senior)‚ official (male or female)‚ service to sport (male or female)‚ club of the year‚ outstanding personal achievement.

To download nomination forms, visit easthants.gov.uk.