Hot on the heels of Birmingham’s staging of the Müller Indoor Grand Prix, the world’s top indoor athletics meeting, USA Track & Field (USATF), the governing body for athletics in the US, have confirmed that their training camp will be based in the city ahead of this summer’s IAAF World Championships in London.
Councillor Ian Ward, Deputy Leader for Birmingham City Council said: “I am delighted that USATF are returning to the city and we look forward to supporting their final preparations ahead of the IAAF World Championships in London. At Beijing’s World Championships in 2015, the American team had 130 athletes and won more medals than any other team and we know they will once again be a force to be reckoned with this summer.
“The training camp will provide a valuable economic impact for the city, however what is equally important is that by visiting our city, and making use of our world-class sports facilities, these fantastic athletes will hopefully provide inspiration to young people from across Birmingham and beyond.”
Birmingham City Council will co-ordinate the camp, with staff working with a variety of partners to ensure that all of USA Track and Field’s training and accommodation needs are met.
Team USATF athletes may also take part in community events with clubs and young athletes. More details about these events will be provided soon.
USATF Chief of Sport Performance, Duffy Mahoney, said: “We are excited to confirm our return to Birmingham ahead of the IAAF World Championships in London. We have great memories of our camp in 2012, and know we’ll receive a warm welcome and will be treated well in Birmingham.”
Some of the American athletes expected to attend the training camp took part in Saturday’s Müller Indoor Grand Prix, at Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena. USATF is also expected to send a large team to the IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018, which will be held at the same arena next March.
