Working for Birmingham’s 2012 legacy
In the first of a series of blogs, Leader of Birmingham City Council Mike Whitby explains why he is flying the flag for Birmingham in Jamaica.
You may have read here on www.birminghamnewsroom.com or in this morning’s Birmingham Post that I’m on a four-day trip to Jamaica to further cement links ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games. Over the next few days I plan to provide updates on how we’re working hard with our partners over here to make the most of what is rapidly becoming a very special relationship.
The fact that we in Birmingham will play host to some of the finest athletes on the planet in the lead up to the 2012 Olympic Games is only part of the story. Welcoming the likes of Usain Bolt to our city will undoubtedly raise our profile, attracting global exposure.
But what about when the last race has been run in London and the athletes have all headed for home? What will the lasting legacy be? How can we ensure Birmingham makes the most of the first Olympic Games in Britain since 1948?
That’s the challenge and it’s what we do now that counts.
I flew out to Kingston yesterday for a series of high profile meetings aimed at further cementing business, community and sporting links with Jamaica to ensure a 2012 legacy.
Business and political leaders here are keen to make the most of the links with Birmingham and now we must all map out the next few years to make sure we get it right.
A busy schedule today includes a meeting with Howard Aris of the Jamaican Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) – the man who confirmed Jamaica Track and Field’s intention to use Birmingham as their 2012 base.
He has been hugely impressed with the facilities and indeed the whole package on offer in Birmingham and is a key man in our burgeoning relationship with Jamaica.
I’m also booked in to see representatives of the Jamaica Olympic Association and the Jamaica Information Service.
I’ll report back on how the meetings go and post more information on further appointments with representatives of the Jamaican government and senior business figures.
Lord Coe recently praised the Birmingham approach to 2012 and we’re now determined to build on the good work to date.
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