Jamaican athletes and coaches have hailed the quality of facilities on offer in Birmingham as they begin their preparations for the World Championships.
The University of Birmingham’s director of sport, Zena Wooldridge (centre) with members of the Jamaican team
The 50-strong team will be based at the University of Birmingham ahead of the competition in London next month.
They have been taking advantage of a new eight-lane track and the £55million sport and fitness club which opened in May.
Jamaica’s World Champion hurdler Danielle Williams, who is looking to recapture her 2015 100m title, said: “The new track facilities are great.
“It’s a fast track – definitely a sprinter’s track.”
The Jamaican camp will also be a chance for the city to showcase some of its facilities as Birmingham bids to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The university could be used as a training base as well as a venue for hockey and squash if the bid is successful.
Don Quarrie, part of the Jamaican coaching setup, said: ““Birmingham is a sporting city.
“Having the Commonwealth Games here would definitely produce first class performances and send a message to the rest of the world about Birmingham.”
