Birmingham stages record-breaking IAAF World Indoor Championships

The 17th IAAF World Indoor Championships – staged in Birmingham last weekend and including four days of thrilling athletics action – has been declared a record-breaking success.

Despite adverse weather conditions, thousands of spectators attended the event and were treated to some fantastic performances from some of the world’s best athletes, with one world record, three championships records and 26 national records broken – al at Arena Birmingham.

More than 550 athletes from 133 countries took part in the event and 750 volunteers (known as Gems) supported the organisers in hosting the biggest global athletics event of 2018.

Lord Sebastian Coe, President of the IAAF, today described the event as “one of the most successful of all time” and continued by saying:

“I’d like to thank the organising committee, Birmingham City Council, the athletes and the fans – who fought through pretty extraordinary weather conditions to be here.”

The event was organised jointly, on behalf of the IAAF, by Birmingham City Council and British Athletics and Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council and chair of the Executive Steering Group said:

“Birmingham has once again proven itself to be a city that loves sport and a city which has everything needed to host world-class sporting events.

“It was an absolute honour to stage the IAAF World Indoor Championships, and despite the freezing conditions outside, the spectators inside Arena Birmingham created a red-hot atmosphere for the athletes.

“I would also like to place on record my respect, gratitude and thanks for the efforts of the volunteers, officials and the local organising committee. Despite all of the challenges they faced, they rose to them and made this a Championships to remember.”

The United States topped the medal table but by making the most of having the home crowd behind them, the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team finished fourth with seven medals – four golds, one silver and two bronze – matching the medal haul from 2003, when the IAAF World Indoor Championships was last staged in Birmingham.

One of those gold medals was won by Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s co-captain Andy Pozzi, who was victorious in the 60m hurdles on Sunday evening. Pozzi, who is from nearby Stratford-Upon-Avon, and competed at Arena Birmingham from a young age, was delighted to be crowned World Indoor Champion in front of a home crowd. He said:

“This is honestly a dream come true and to do it in Birmingham just multiplies that ten-fold.

“I absolutely loved every second in that stadium. The crowd were phenomenal and during my lap of honour, to see so many familiar faces and local faces, was just so amazing.”

To see a daily round-up of the action from the IAAF World Indoor Championships go to www.wicbirmingham2018.com and for the full results go to www.iaaf.org

International athletics will be back in Birmingham in the summer when the Müller Grand Prix, part of the IAAF Diamond League, will be held at the Alexander Stadium on Saturday 18 August and the same venue will host the British Athletics Championships on 30 June and 1 July.

Tickets for both events are available now at www.britishathletics.org.uk