Official Entertainment Zone for European Athletics
Brindleyplace will be the Official Entertainment Zone for the European Athletics Indoor Championships, which is being hosted by the National Indoor Arena (NIA) between 2-4 March 2007. Around 600 athletes from 50 European countries are expected to compete at the European Athletics Indoor Championships and crowds of more than 5,000 people a day are expected to be there to cheer them on. The event is jointly organised by Birmingham City Council and UK Athletics Brindleyplace will be offering a varied programme of entertainment throughout the Championships including a mascot race, live music and dancing, children's athletics and an all day sports quiz throughout the Saturday and Sunday. For the duration of the weekend there will also be a European Athletics Loyalty Card will available from the Brindleyplace Information Office and will provide all visitors with discounts at the majority of the cafés, bars, restaurants and shops at Brindleyplace. Lorraine Mackay, Director of Marketing and Communications for the European Athletics Indoor Championships said: "We are delighted that Brindleyplace will be the Official Entertainment Zone for this Championships and not only will they be helping us to provide a warm welcome for visitors to Birmingham but the Entertainment Zone will also be open to local people so that they can feel part of the Championships and make the most of the city's staging of this prestigious event".