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**RunUnlimited** · 05-08-22, 20:28

You know, here's another major championship that Great Britain have never hosted before but would make a great fist of it.... Either the World or European U20 Championships. I can guarantee you, there would be a mostly full Alexander Stadium for most sessions.

And marra, you are correct, Birmingham 2026 is a no-brainer for a European Championship venue.

**carterhatch** · 06-08-22, 09:19

marra

That’ll be the same governing bodies that have chosen, in recent iterations, venues to launder the images of those paragons of democracy China, Russia and Qatar. To be fair, if you read closely what I said, ‘the outside world only perceive 'England' synonymously with London’ Sure, recent venues were in a ‘big, famous city’, but in countries with dubious human rights/world dominance in mind, I’d hope we can move away from such places.

Not that I wish to stoop to politics but a World Athletics Championships in Birmingham would meet the ‘levelling-up’ agenda, the facilities are already in place, and UK Athletics could trumpet their E&D credentials by incorporating an extensive para-athletic programme with Tanni Grey-Thompson leading the entire bid, plus the BBC could signal to the world, how they lead the campaign to cancel out every white heterosexual, able bodied male over 50, from their studio sofa. J *

I think using size of population as one of many metrics for deciding venues is also problematic. It doesn’t necessarily translate to ‘bums-on-seats’ or level of enthusiasm. Indeed how to measure it in the first place, Birmingham city, the West Midlands metropolitan area or a wider catchment of those willing to travel to the venue [HS2 is coming to Brum so in the mid 2030s, it will be a comfortable hour journey away for sports fans and governing body officials who get a nose bleed north of the Watford Gap], all bringing economic benefits with them.

Alors,

I am sure we both want the best for British Athletes, so I’ll end my ‘screed’ *.

The BBC have pretty much had every possible demographic represented as a guest in their studio except this one
screed - My new word of the week learnt thanks to you know who on AW ….

**marilyn1** · 06-08-22, 09:29

Originally posted by carterhatch

marra

That’ll be the same governing bodies that have chosen, in recent iterations, venues to launder the images of those paragons of democracy China, Russia and Qatar. To be fair, if you read closely what I said, ‘the outside world only perceive 'England' synonymously with London’ Sure, recent venues were in a ‘big, famous city’, but in countries with dubious human rights/world dominance in mind, I’d hope we can move away from such places.

Not that I wish to stoop to politics but a World Athletics Championships in Birmingham would meet the ‘levelling-up’ agenda, the facilities are already in place, and UK Athletics could trumpet their E&D credentials by incorporating an extensive para-athletic programme with Tanni Grey-Thompson leading the entire bid, plus the BBC could signal to the world, how they lead the campaign to cancel out every white heterosexual, able bodied male over 50, from their studio sofa. J *

I think using size of population as one of many metrics for deciding venues is also problematic. It doesn’t necessarily translate to ‘bums-on-seats’ or level of enthusiasm. Indeed how to measure it in the first place, Birmingham city, the West Midlands metropolitan area or a wider catchment of those willing to travel to the venue [HS2 is coming to Brum so in the mid 2030s, it will be a comfortable hour journey away for sports fans and governing body officials who get a nose bleed north of the Watford Gap], all bringing economic benefits with them.

Alors,

I am sure we both want the best for British Athletes, so I’ll end my ‘screed’ *.

The BBC have pretty much had every possible demographic represented as a guest in their studio except this one
screed - My new word of the week learnt thanks to you know who on AW ….

Firstly, enjoyed your post greatly and apart from money matters Birmingham would hold a fine World champs. Plenty big enough. It just needs someone who can persuade Seb Coe with a big enough bribe.
Screed also means a mixture of cement and sand which is used as a base for floor or wall tiling

**marilyn1** · 06-08-22, 09:40

Cannot recall right now many periods of 7/8 days in the Midlands with no significant rain.a miracle this year.What a f* cking shame that the WC was held on American insistence so early. The CG would not have lacked, perhaps, so many top talents.

**marra** · 06-08-22, 12:41

Originally posted by carterhatch

marra

That’ll be the same governing bodies that have chosen, in recent iterations, venues to launder the images of those paragons of democracy China, Russia and Qatar. To be fair, if you read closely what I said, ‘the outside world only perceive 'England' synonymously with London’ Sure, recent venues were in a ‘big, famous city’, but in countries with dubious human rights/world dominance in mind, I’d hope we can move away from such places.

Not that I wish to stoop to politics but a World Athletics Championships in Birmingham would meet the ‘levelling-up’ agenda, the facilities are already in place, and UK Athletics could trumpet their E&D credentials by incorporating an extensive para-athletic programme with Tanni Grey-Thompson leading the entire bid, plus the BBC could signal to the world, how they lead the campaign to cancel out every white heterosexual, able bodied male over 50, from their studio sofa. J *

I think using size of population as one of many metrics for deciding venues is also problematic. It doesn’t necessarily translate to ‘bums-on-seats’ or level of enthusiasm. Indeed how to measure it in the first place, Birmingham city, the West Midlands metropolitan area or a wider catchment of those willing to travel to the venue [HS2 is coming to Brum so in the mid 2030s, it will be a comfortable hour journey away for sports fans and governing body officials who get a nose bleed north of the Watford Gap], all bringing economic benefits with them.

Alors,

I am sure we both want the best for British Athletes, so I’ll end my ‘screed’ *.

The BBC have pretty much had every possible demographic represented as a guest in their studio except this one
screed - My new word of the week learnt thanks to you know who on AW ….

I'll employ my right of reply...

Firstly, I'll emphasise my most recent comment - nothing I have said was intended to say that Brum couldn't or shouldn't host the Champs. All I was outlining was the problems that any potential host city faces due to the internal politics and...frankly....seeming bribery that clearly goes on at governing bodies.

I'm not defending the politics of those countries. Clearly, as I said first and foremost, money is probably the primary driver. That's how Doha got it, and that's how Nike...sorry...Eugene got it.

You actually said that *UK athletics* was too worried that the outside world would only think of London. That's a slightly different implication - that implies the fault is in UK athletics not trusting the foreigners to know! But, per your clarification, we are in agreement then. People in other countries tend not to know other cities outside of capitals.

As for population being a problematic one - I agree. Although the metro area argument is also not helpful. The Birmingham metro is 4.3m according to wiki. Osaka's is 19m! My point was that you chose cities and implied that they didn't come under the rather vague "big famous" claim I had suggested. I was pointing out that some of them at least met the "big" part of that.

The World Champs and the Para World Champs are organised by 2 separate bodies, so that would be difficult to do as one event. London in 2017 was the first time a city had hosted both in the same year. Alexander stadium actually has hosted the para world champs previously so applying to do both could work.

As for your complaints about white men over 50 not being represented enough...well I'll let you and Philipo get angry about that.

**Occasional Hope** · 06-08-22, 13:15

Bit of a surprise there. Hoare pips Cheruiyot, Wightman tired and gets bronze.

**marilyn1** · 06-08-22, 15:32

Originally posted by marra

I'll employ my right of reply...

Firstly, I'll emphasise my most recent comment - nothing I have said was intended to say that Brum couldn't or shouldn't host the Champs. All I was outlining was the problems that any potential host city faces due to the internal politics and...frankly....seeming bribery that clearly goes on at governing bodies.

I'm not defending the politics of those countries. Clearly, as I said first and foremost, money is probably the primary driver. That's how Doha got it, and that's how Nike...sorry...Eugene got it.

You actually said that *UK athletics* was too worried that the outside world would only think of London. That's a slightly different implication - that implies the fault is in UK athletics not trusting the foreigners to know! But, per your clarification, we are in agreement then. People in other countries tend not to know other cities outside of capitals.

As for population being a problematic one - I agree. Although the metro area argument is also not helpful. The Birmingham metro is 4.3m according to wiki. Osaka's is 19m! My point was that you chose cities and implied that they didn't come under the rather vague "big famous" claim I had suggested. I was pointing out that some of them at least met the "big" part of that.

The World Champs and the Para World Champs are organised by 2 separate bodies, so that would be difficult to do as one event. London in 2017 was the first time a city had hosted both in the same year. Alexander stadium actually has hosted the para world champs previously so applying to do both could work.

As for your complaints about white men over 50 not being represented enough...well I'll let you and Philipo get angry about that.

Don t get me involved in this , thank you.being over 50 or white seems a rather juvenile and pointless observation, marra. Especially as your posts reek of
reasonable observations.

**marilyn1** · 06-08-22, 15:36

Now that the WC have been held in a small town in the middle of nowhere and were a nightmare mostly,except the performers, there is no convincing reason that Brum cannot hold a great WC. Ok, theres the money as always.It can happen if the will is there.

**marilyn1** · 06-08-22, 15:42

Originally posted by Occasional Hope

Bit of a surprise there. Hoare pips Cheruiyot, Wightman tired and gets bronze.

Jake was not tired, he made a great judgment in Eugene, but here he went too early ,clearly. What is so satisfying in athletics is to see athletes with a point to prove who go and win and Ollie is yet one more example of this. Eilish was another

**marra** · 06-08-22, 16:18

Originally posted by marilyn1

Don t get me involved in this , thank you.being over 50 or white seems a rather juvenile and pointless observation, marra. Especially as your posts reek of
reasonable observations.

You commented that you greatly enjoyed Carter's post (as is your right). You didn't voice that you disagreed with any of the points being made (again, nor should you have to).

I don't think that's me getting you involved. You involved yourself by your comment.

**marra** · 08-08-22, 19:06

So, the day after we complete a successful CGs in the lovely looking new stadium in Brum...UK athletics announce the big meet next year will be in London.

Sigh.

**whatwouldIknow** · 09-08-22, 13:49

Two significant issues about a major championship in Birmingham, firstly, the council are in dire financial straits. That may resolve itself in the fullness of time. The second is the relentless interference by the said council in the marathon course. Gareth Turnbull, I am sure aged decades dealing with this as the organiser. The walks were on the track as the council refused to countenance any more road closures. Without the local authority and indeed the central government, it is a moot point.

**carterhatch** · 09-08-22, 19:31

The one and only thing that Alexander stadium did wrong this week was not include, in the closing ceremony, a song from the best band ever to come from Birmingham - The Moody Blues...

**Ursus** · 09-08-22, 20:30

Given London only had the WCs in 17 it’s pretty hypothetical to be talking about hosting again. By the time we’re back in the mix, things will have moved on and West Ham will have paid to revamp Crystal Palace. Although of course I’d much rather travel 3 hours on the M6 to Brum than 45 minutes down the road on a bad traffic day. 😀

**Sovietvest** · 10-08-22, 10:59

Originally posted by marilyn1

Jake was not tired, he made a great judgment in Eugene, but here he went too early ,clearly. What is so satisfying in athletics is to see athletes with a point to prove who go and win and Ollie is yet one more example of this. Eilish was another

Nonsense. Look at the splits and where Jake made his move. He attacked at EXACTLY the same point in the race in Brum and closed in 41.3 off a slower pace, compared to 40.8 in Eugene Simply didn't have it in his legs today. He ran to win. Hoare ran to win a medal and was lucky that Cheruiyot and Wightman ran out of steam.

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