This financial milestone, which will cover the first development phase, has been accumulated over the past seven years, coming as part of a legacy plan following the London 2012 Olympics.

Project lead Richard Caborn thanked Hobson for his work.

"This has been an incredible journey," said Caborn.

"From the very beginning following the London 2012 Olympics, we had a vision to deliver a tangible legacy as we saw the enormous potential in sport to make a real difference to the health and well-being agenda.

"Whilst we had this great vision, it was David's determination, tenacity and ambition that made it all possible. 

"He has been at the heart of what this park is about in all its faculties, whether it’s the real estate, the link in the community, or the ethos that has created unique partnerships in Sheffield.

"We're now looking to towards the next £150 million ($209 million/€176 million) of investment, which will bring a whole new level of development and real estate to the area which will make a real statement not just in the Sheffield City Region, but far beyond that."

Hobson attended an event held on Thursday (July 29) at the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, a facility he helped develop by writing a funding application for its construction, costing £14 million ($19.5 million/€16.4 million).

"I'm honoured to have been given the opportunity to be involved with a project that has not only made such a difference to the local community, but has been instrumental in the regeneration of Attercliffe," said Hobson.

"When we began envisioning how Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park would look, we wanted to deliver something that wouldn't just change people’s perception of the area, but would be on a level of quality typically only seen in the city centre. 

"I'm incredibly proud that we've managed to go above and beyond what we ever imagined.

"This has truly been a fantastic journey, but this isn't about me, it's about Sheffield. 

"It's about all the public sector, private sector, design teams, construction teams, end users, schools, education, in this city working hand in hand with a shared objective. 

"This goes to show what you can achieve if you all work together."

More than 50 British Olympic and Paralympic athletes competing at Tokyo 2020 trained in the English Institute of Sport Sheffield on Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.

In January, plans were unveiled for a National Centre for Child Health Technology and diagnostic imagery research hub, a community arena and stadium at the park.

The arena is set to be the new home of a basketball team, the Sheffield Sharks.

A 3,900-seat stadium is expected to be delivered by February 2022 and is due to be used by the Sheffield Eagles rugby league team.

The park was constructed on the site of the former Don Valley Stadium.