RETRO: Oscar Pistorius, Jess Ennis and the divisive Don Valley Stadium

File photo dated 15/07/07 of South Africa's Oscar Pistorius (left) in the Men's 400m Race during the Norwich Union British Grand Prix at the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield. PRESS ASSOCIATION photo. Issue date: Monday January 14, 2008. The IAAF have ruled that double-amputee Oscar Pistorious' prosthetic limbs give him an unfair advantage and he is therefore ineligible to compete at this summer's Olympic Games. See PA story ATHLETICS Pistorius. Photo Credit should read: John Giles/PA Wire.

From Sheffield’s Olympic gold medallist, to the front men of U2 and The Rolling Stones - two of the biggest bands the world has ever seen - Don Valley Stadium played host to some of the biggest names around in its relatively short life

Opened in 1990 as part of regeneration for the World Student Games, it’s a venue that has been at the centre of controversy for much of its life.

Opening ceremony of the World Student Games at Don Valley Stadium in 1991.

Of course, there was no way anyone could have known, when this photo of former athlete Oscar Pistorius competing at Don Valley Stadium in 2007 was taken, what would go on to happen.

The South African Olympic and Paralympic sprinter with two prosthetic legs competed in the 400m sprint at the British Grand Prix at the stadium, but was disqualified for running out of his lane in wet conditions.

In 2013 Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend and was found guilty of culpable homicide the next year, later amended to a murder verdict.

In Sheffield, controversy had surrounded Don Valley Stadium from day one.

Rolling Stones at Don Valley Stadium 27 Aug 06

Critics argued that the World Student Games, which Sheffield spent vast amounts of money to secure and build the facilities for, was a white elephant which would leave a massive debt burden – a burden of £658million which would not be paid off until 2024, according to reports, and Don Valley’s construction was part of that spending.

Apart from the music concerts, a plus for the venue was star Jess Ennis-Hill.

Pictured here aged 15, Ennis was tipped by The Star for future greatness, as we reported that she had been using the stadium’s facilities to train.

Once the stadium’s demolition took place in 2013, some said it meant Sheffield might never produce another ‘golden girl’ of athletics...