One of Britain's greatest Olympians has championed two youth projects and given his backing to the Special Olympics.

Sir Steve Redgrave visited the county to see plans for two Government-funded 'Myplace' schemes – one on the site of the former Haymarket theatre, in Leicester, and the other in Richmond Park, Hinckley.

During the visit, the five-time gold medal-winning rower said Leicester should embrace its young people and celebrate the Special Olympics.

He said: "I get inspired all the time by young people. Having any major sporting event gives the community a reason to get together.

"The Special Olympics makes a huge impact on the people who are competing.

"There are many people with difficulties who might never be able to compete, but are inspired by those who do.

"The facilities left from these events benefit the community."

Lee Penfold, 27, of Hinckley, is a basketball player taking part in the Special Olympics.

He said: "It was a great honour to meet Sir Steve. He is a great ambassador for the Special Olympics."

During the visit, Sir Steve spoke of how Myplace was responding to the needs of young people in Hinckley and Leicester.

He said: "They want places to go and things to do. This project will be a hub for positive and challenging activities, whether it is art, sport, culture or a place to be with like-minded people."

Some £5m is being spent converting the empty Haymarket theatre into the Leicester City Youth Hub.

Work should be finished by December 2011, and it will include a climbing wall, skateboard and BMX track, sports area, performing arts space, recording studio, dance and aerobics rooms and a library.

Ashleighe Welland, 15, is a member of Leicester Youth Council, which has been consulted on the project. She said: "There is lots of talent in Leicester but it's not really being shown at the moment.

"Adults have lots of places to go but we need somewhere, too."

Sir Steve later went to Hinckley, to meet young people, trustees and volunteers who are creating their own multi-million pound youth club.

He was joined by actress Sadie Pickering, who stars in BBC One's Waterloo Road, at the Hinckley Club for Young People, which uses ageing buildings in Stoke Road, Hinckley.

By next summer, the club should be in a complex in Richmond Park, financed with £4.5m from the Myplace programme and £1.2m from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

The new centre will include a sports hall, computer room, skate-park, BMX track, allotments and recording studio.

Club secretary Geoff Wells said: "The support of Sir Steve Redgrave is like winning our own Olympic gold medal.

"I thank the borough council, Leicestershire Clubs for Young People and Myplace for making these dreams become a reality."