Commonwealth Games gold medallist joins Birmingham’s bid team

Commonwealth Champion and legendary long-distance athlete, Brendan Foster CBE, has been unveiled as the latest addition to the Birmingham 2022 Bid team.

Foster won the 10,000m in the 1978 Commonwealth Games at Edmonton, Canada, which came two years after he won Britain’s only track and field medal in the Montreal Olympics when he won bronze in the 10,000 metres.

He will also bring his sports business experience to Birmingham’s bid committee, having created and managed the mass-participation sports event company, Great Run.

Foster and Great Run have been responsible for the Great Birmingham Run, Great Birmingham 10k and this autumn’s inaugural Birmingham International Marathon.

Cllr Ian Ward, deputy leader of Birmingham City Council and chair of Birmingham Commonwealth Games Steering Group, said: “His knowledge, both as a former athlete and as a business professional, will be a boost to our efforts. In recent years, with the Great Birmingham Run and the forthcoming Birmingham International Marathon in October, we have worked closely with Brendan and his team and have seen them deliver some outstanding events for the city.

“We have a strong team working hard to bring the Games to Birmingham. With 95% of our venues already available, combined with our expertise at delivering world class sporting events, and our position as heart of the UK, soul of the Commonwealth, we are in a good position. The more support we can get the better.”

Foster, who will shortly be hanging up the microphone as part of his role on the BBC Sport commentary team, said: “Birmingham is an ambitious, vibrant city with a great sporting heritage and I believe the ideal location to host such a prestigious global event.”