As insidethegames reported, the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) has agreed to set up a pre-Games training camp in the Midlands, choosing them ahead of Glasgow and Cardiff, who had also courted the Caribbean island, who won 11 medals, including six gold, at the Olympics on Beijing

 

 

Grange said: "I'm happy that we've made this move.

 

"The stakeholders from Birmingham had visited me in Jamaica and introduced me to the facilities and I was impressed.

"I'm particularly excited because 2012 will be Jamaica's Golden Anniversary and I'm already in discussions with the Birmingham City Council to see how we'll make the occasion special in the city.

 

"In addition, a very strong sporting and cultural legacy will result from this and I believe it's very good news for Jamaican athletics."

 

Jamaica's Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, also applauded the decision and spoke of the tremendous benefit that will the link-up will be to Jamaica, whose team for London 2012 is expected to include triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt.

He said: "Birmingham is a city that has always been close to Jamaica.

 

"There are many Jamaicans living in Birmingham and they have sold Jamaica well.

 

"We'll be working closely with the leaders in Birmingham to build our base there and to improve tourist arrivals from that city.

 

"I expect to meet with them soon to explore the possibilities."

 

Mike Whitby, the Leader of Birmingham City Council, said that he hopes the relationship will extend beyond sport.

 

He said: "This means so much for the city of Birmingham.

 

"Our Jamaican community will be ecstatic because this guarantees them their place in the 2012 Games.

 

"While the competition will be based in London, this will definitely bring the Olympic fever to Birmingham.
 

"We have great things planned to expand the occasion beyond sport.

 

"We'll be working on our infrastructure, including expanding the runway of our airport in order to facilitate greater movement between Jamaica and Birmingham and we'll be planning many special activities to celebrate Jamaica's 50th anniversary of Independence."

Steve Hollingworth, Birmingham City Council's assistant director for sport and events, who led the negotiations on behalf of Birmingham, said: "This is recognition of Birmingham's long-term commitment to sport and its excellent events management.
 

"This decision will electrify the Jamaican community in Birmingham and inspire a whole new generation of athletes from the city.
 

"We're absolutely delighted and you can be rest assured that Jamaica are in the best  possible hands."