Birmingham have signed deals with the athletics teams from Jamaica and the United States to set-up pre-Games training camps there next year with Whitby having led negotiations with both countries.

The two countries are arguably the most high-profile athletics teams competing at London and it is a major coup they have both chosen to train in the Midlands and Whitby has estimated that the deals could be worth up to £15 million ($24 million) to Birmingham's economy.

The US team are set to be based at Alexander Stadium while Jamaica are to train at the University of Birmingham.

Whitby wants to use the opportunity to raise extra cash to help offset the massive cut in funding Birmingham City Council is facing.

"We need a more effective way of generating revenue," said Whitby, who represents the Conservatives.

"We have a tremendous capacity to increase revenue.

"We have the Olympic training camps coming next year which is a fantastic opportunity.

"We are looking at charging to watch the athletes train."

Perry Barr Labour MP Khalid Mahmood, who represents communities surrounding Alexander Stadium, has led opposition to the controversial plan.

"It's absolutely disgraceful," he told the Birmingham Post.

"This is a scrooge measure by this Council which will deter ordinary people in Birmingham from engaging with the Olympics.

"How are we supposed to encourage and inspire young people from poorer backgrounds to enjoy sport if we exclude them when these athletes are on their doorstep?

"The people have already paid for the Olympics through their taxes.

"This should be abandoned before it goes too far."

Whitby later claimed that the suggestion had been just an idea and not one he planned to pursue.

"Quite rightly we will and do look at a whole range of revenue generating ideas but this is not something we will be taking forward," he told insidethegames.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
January 2011: Mike Whitby - Birmingham is making the most of London 2012