Birmingham has the sports facilities to meet the needs of any international team due to compete in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Former Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis talked up Birmingham’s chances of hosting one or more of the countries in three years’ time during a visit to the city yesterday.
Denise, who won heptathlon gold in the 2000 Sydney Games in Australia, was at Prince Albert Junior and Infant School in Albert Road, Aston, as an ambassador for Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week.
The initiative, which runs from June 29 to July 3, aims to inspire millions of children around the country to take part in at least five hours of sport a week compared to the normal two hours.
West Bromwich-born Denise, 36, said: “The Olympics are such a big thing to happen to Britain as a whole.
“I believe Birmingham will be hosting one of the international countries and will be using facilities which we know are very good here.
“Birmingham also has its own 2012 taskforce.”
The American track and field team has signed a memorandum of understanding which will hopefully see their large number of athletes base themselves in Birmingham during the Games.
And the city council is also making moves to bring the Chinese team, as well as Jamaica, to Birmingham for the Olympics.
Denise confessed to missing the competitive side of the sport during her visit to Prince Albert school, but said she took great enjoyment from mentoring children in her new role.
So far, more than 100 schools in Birmingham and 257 in the West Midlands have joined the scheme and pledged to do more sport.
The former Birchfield Harrier said: “We want kids to get involved and get stuck in as the benefits are immense, both in terms of playing sport and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.”
