Olympic athlete Sally Gunnell has launched a new-look sports partnership to propel Sussex into the limelight at the 2012 Olympics.

Ms Gunnell officially declared the Sussex County Sports Partnership open for business yesterday at the University of Brighton at Falmer.

The partnership is responsible for strategically planning and coordinating community sport and hopes to get Sussex athletes and volunteers into the London Olympics.

Ms Gunnell said: "Sussex is one of the nearest counties to London. I am trying to get as much involvement as we can for the county in terms of training volunteers and getting teams down here beforehand to prepare.

"The advent of the 2012 Olympics is an enormous inspiration for sport in Sussex. Often people need opportunities and encouragement and something to focus on and this is the best kind."

Brighton and Hove city councillor David Smith, who will take over as mayor this year, said sport was often neglected in favour of culture for funding but the Olympics would push sport up the agenda.

He said: "I am sure there will be funds available we can make use of. We need to invest in sport. What are the chances of our athletes getting to the top when the only running track we have in Brighton is at Withdean where the Albion play? I mean to make sure we have the facilities we really need and the sports partnership can help with that."

Ms Gunnell lives in Steyning and held Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth titles for hurdles at the same time.

She cut a ribbon and helped pupils from Cardinal Newman School in Hove and Dorothy Stringer School in Brighton release dozens of brightly coloured balloons to mark the launch.

She said: "This is about getting as many people active in sport as possible. We want Sussex to be a fitter county and this partnership gives credibility to what is going on."