A team of young athletes representing schools and athletics clubs from Birmingham in England will be vying for medals at this weekend’s Gibson Relays at the National Stadium, in Kingston.

Members of the team had their first training session yesterday at the Catherine Hall Stadium in Montego Bay, St James.  

“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,” said team manager Bryn Lewis.

The 23 athletes and eight officials arrived in the island on Tuesday 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 the city hosting the Jamaican track team ahead of next year’s Olympics in London.

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