Bolt to train in Birmingham for 2012 Olympics - Jamaican community thrilled at Olympian's presence in city
Published: Friday | August 21, 2009
From left: Bishop Dr Derek Webley, Beverly Lindsay and Councillor Mike Whitby outside the celebration party at Caribbean Cuizene in Birmingham. - Contributed
THE JAMAICAN flag is flying high in Birmingham as the city prepares to welcome the fastesst man in the world to train for London's 2012 Olympics.
The city council has just sealed a deal to make Birmingham the training base for Jamaica's track and field athletes in the days leading up to the 25th Olympic Games.
It will mean that Olympic triple gold medallist, Usain Bolt, and his teammates will train at the Univer-sity of Birmingham's Edgbaston campus in 2012.
The news has left Birmingham's Caribbean community jumping with joy and they threw a party to celebrate at one of their favourite restaurants, Caribbean Cuizene, located in the heart of the city and operated by Dave Brown and Michelle Williams.
Birmingham City council leader, Mike Whitby, has just returned victorious from talks in Berlin, where he signed a document with Howard Aris, president of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association, ahead of the World Championships in Athletics being held in Berlin, Germany.
The good news has also been welcomed by Jamaica's Youth, Sports and Culture Minister, Olivia Grange.
Councillor Whitby, who was guest of honour at the celebration party, said, "The bond between Birmingham and our Jamaican community has always been strong, but now this is giving us an even better foundation to show all that is positive about Jamaican's culture and influence in Birmingham.
"We will make sure that we show the world how the people of Jamaica have helped to shape Birmingham into the great city it is today. We have plenty to celebrate and we'll make sure the Jamaican squad gets a warm Brummie and Caribbean welcome here."
Whitby revealed it was touch-and-go at different stages of the delicate negotiations but he praised the Jamaican decision makers for pushing on with their support for Birmingham's case, particularly Jamaica's minister of sports.
He added: "The actual Olympic competition may be based in London, but this news will definitely bring Olympic fever to Birmingham.
"We have great things planned to expand the occasion beyond sport. We will be working on our infrastructure, including expanding the runway of our airport in order to facilitate greater movement between Jamaica and Birmingham."
