Birmingham team ready for Gibson

The Birmingham City track team will be aiming for several of the medals on offer at this weekend's Gibson Relays at the National Stadium, in Kingston.

Drawn from select schools and athletic clubs in Birmingham, England, members of the team had their first training session on March 9 at the Catherine Hall Stadium in Montego Bay, St. James. 

The 23 athletes and eight officials arrived in the island on March 8 and are finalising their preparations in western Jamaica before heading into Kingston for the much anticipated meet, which attracts the biggest names in school and club athletics in the island.

The trip is the first of several being undertaken under different sporting disciplines as part of the Birmingham-Jamaica Sports Legacy Programme, arising out of a deal which sees Birmingham hosting the Jamaican track team ahead of next year’s Olympics in London.

Birmingham’s team manager, Bryn Lewis said the training session went well and the athletes are geared up to give their best on Saturday (March 12).

“We had a good workout at the Catherine Hall Stadium and the guys looked good despite the obvious effects of a long flight. For most of them this is the first time they have travelled overseas and they have come a great distance. The excitement is building and they are really looking forward to competing. They are fully aware of the great tradition that Jamaica has in athletics, even at the school level, and they are keen to make a big impression,” he said.

Meet Director of the Gibson Relays, Neville ‘Teddy’ McCook told JIS News that  the participation of the Birmingham team represents a wonderful opportunity for the strengthening of sporting ties between Birmingham and Jamaica.

“What is interesting is that some of the athletes are of Jamaican parentage and they recognise the rich sporting tradition that is in their roots. They want to be a part of that and have made a great effort to be here. This is a wonderful expression of the strength of our Diaspora and the natural synergies that emerge whenever Jamaicans immerse themselves into other countries,” he said.

The athletes will be competing in a number of 4X100 and 4X200 metre relays.

The team will host a press conference, today (March 110), at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel beginning at 5:30 p.m.  The Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon Olivia Grange and officials of the Gibson Relays will be in attendance.

Contact: Andrew Clunis