Competitors such as archers, gymnasts and hockey players now have the chance to steal a lead on their rivals as they prepare to go for Olympic and Paralympic gold.

Visiting Lilleshall, Minister for Sport and the Olympics, Hugh Robertson said: "There is a fine line between getting on the podium and missing out on a medal, and these facilities, which will mirror those used at the Games, will give British athletes an advantage.

"However, Lilleshall will also be opened up for community use, and that will help us leave a legacy from hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games."

The facilities include:

An indoor shooting range with new technical video analysis area, fixed high-speed cameras and improved access for Paralympic archers

An outdoor range realigned facing north to mirror the conditions archers will face at the Games

New training equipment in the gymnastics hall

Two new floodlit artificial hockey pitches using the same surface as used in Beijing. One pitch will be used for elite hockey and the other for community games

Improvements to the strength and conditioning and rehabilitation facilities.

The five squash courts have also been brought up to the very latest standards set by England Squash and Racketball, the sport’s governing body.

Sport England has invested £3.5 million ($5.5 million) of Exchequer funding to support the improvements.

Sara Symington, GB Archery’s Performance Director, said the facilities had revolutionised the way they deliver performance programmes.

"This was a critical step in laying the foundations alongside a new Olympic coach, targeted EIS support services in biomechanics, strength and conditioning, and physiotherapy coupled with more robust and consistent specialist sports psychological support.

"The new facility allows archers to shoot in all weather conditions, but also access specialist equipment within a technical area which allows self coaching and instant feedback as well as technique analysis systems through coach and bio mechanist.”