UK Athletics set to shun Birmingham in favour of Manchester for Olympic trials
- Birmingham’s financial woes make it a ‘risky’ venue says UKA
- Further doubt cast over city’s Commonwealth Games legacy
The British Olympic trials are set to be staged in Manchester rather than Birmingham this summer, raising further questions about the legacy of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
UK Athletics is expected to confirm its decision by the end of the month, and insiders expect it to choose the 6,500-capacity Manchester Regional Arena next to the Etihad Stadium over Birmingham’s 18,000-seater Alexander Stadium for financial reasons. Eyebrows will be raised given the Alexander Stadium underwent a £72m renovation only two years ago for the Commonwealth Games and is billed as “the national home of athletics”, yet has not staged a major track and field event since August 2022.