The games run for 11 days in summer 2002

Frances Done, chief executive of games organisers Manchester 2002, said: "This is one of the most innovative educational websites ever produced in the UK.

"It is an excellent way of using the imagination and excitement of the games to inspire young people to learn subjects across the spectrum from arts to science."

Trevor Brooking, chair of Sport England, said: "This is an excellent way of linking all learning with sport, a subject most children can relate to.

"For example athletics is used to create distance and time graphs.

Ballet ceremony

"Sport is not just about running around a playing field but has a role to play in the wider social agenda, in this case education."

Children can also learn about the countries of the Commonwealth and how new buildings are constructed.

The website is being unveiled at Bolton Arena, where the Games' badminton tournament will be played, by paralympic gold medalist Vicky Broadribb.

And at the stadium students from the Royal Northern Ballet will begin rehearsals on a new routine they are choreographing for the opening games ceremony.