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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US athletes choose Midlands base | US athletes choose Midlands base |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| 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. | 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. | 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". | 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". | 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. |