 US Track and Field has been based in Birmingham for two years |
The US Track and Field team has announced that it will be based in Birmingham for the 2012 Olympics. Negotiations started last August when the US team visited the city to compete in the Norwich Union International.
Stephanie Hightower, chair of US Track and Field, said they had competed and trained in the city for many years and were very happy with the facilities.
It comes two days after chair of London 2012 Sebastian Coe hailed Birmingham as the "UK's pre-eminent city for sport".
Leader of Birmingham City Council Mike Whitby said it was a "real coup".
No competition
He added: "This is not only because of the significant economic benefits it will bring to the city, but because of the phenomenal media interest and coverage that will accompany such a high profile team."
Birmingham-born Commonwealth champion Ian Stewart added the move would have great repercussions for athletics in Britain.
It is still undecided exactly where in the city the American athletes' Olympic camp will be situated.
Ms Hightower said training facilities in Birmingham were so good there had never been any competition from anywhere else.
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