Usain Bolt could warm up for 2012 Olympics in Birmingham
THE world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, could be warming up for the London Olympics in Birmingham under plans being drawn up by city sports chiefs.
The 22-year-old Jamaican sprinter, nicknamed the Lightning Bolt, became an instant global megastar at last month’s Olympic Games after coasting to triple Gold Medal success in the 100 metres, 200 metres and sprint relay – all in world record times.
Now Birmingham’s House of Sport office is believed to be in talks with the Jamaican team offering the use of the city’s fine athletics facilities such as Alexander Stadium ahead of the 2012 games in London.
Birmingham has already signed a deal with the world’s largest Olympic outfit, the American Track and Field team, to host a training camp.
Later this year city leader Coun Mike Whitby is going to China for talks with their Olympic aides.
But following Bolt’s meteoric rise to fame it would be a major coup to secure the Jamaican athletics team and they would be boosted by support from the West Midlands’ large Jamaican community.
Bolt himself would be on familiar ground, as he has relatives in the Bradmore area of Wolverhampton.
The sprinter’s mum, Jennifer Bolt, stopped over in the Midlands on her way back from Beijing joining her cousin Maureen Davis and family members for a celebration.
A Birmingham sports department spokesman said: “We are looking at encouraging a number of countries to use Birmingham as their training base during London 2012, including the Jamaican team.
“We already have a memorandum of understanding with the US track and field team confirming that they plan to be based in Birmingham.
“City council leader Mike Whitby is due to visit China where he will raise a number of issues, including sport and London 2012.”
Share
