On right track at Norwich Union Grand Prix

Feb 18 2008 By Emma Cullwick

FANS flocked to Birmingham's National Indoor Arena to get a glimpse of their sporting heroes as the city staged one of the most prestigious athletics championships.

Thousands of people poured to the NIA, off Broad Street, to watch athletes battle it out in the Norwich Union Grand Prix.

Around 600 athletes took part in the event, which put the city into the spotlight of the nation's media.

A spokesman for UK Athletics, which organised the event, said: "The support our athletes receive from the people of Birmingham is always fantastic. Birmingham, with its central location and larger capacity, is ideally placed to allow us to ensure as many athletes as possible can compete."

It was the first of several top events that are to be held in Birmingham this year and organisers say it has helped put the city back on track to become the home of British athletics.

The next major event - the AAA Championships - will take place in July, and will see the UK's leading track and field athletes visiting the Alexander Stadium in Perry Park to fight for places at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.