Joanne Malin, a presenter on Radio WM, hosted a special event
as Birmingham Airport unveiled the Olympic Rings on its new
Air Traffic Control Tower to celebrate the London 2012 Games
.
Olympic Gold medallist Edwin Moses of the United States,
who attended the event, said: "Seeing the Games celebrated
in such an iconic way will be a great inspiration to the
athletes training in the region"
.
Paul Kehoe, Birmingham Airport CEO said: "The Olympic Games
are for the entire country, not just London. Every passengers,
visitor and passer by will see our welcome spectacular and we're
really proud to be part of such a historic occasion"
.
"Both the Jamaican and US Olympic Track and Field teams are
training in Birmingham prior to the Games and the neighbouring
city of Coventry will host several football matches"
.
"The Midlands region will have a big role to play during the Olympic
and Paralympic Games so we want everyone flying into Birmingham
for the occasion - whether they're athletes, spectators, officials or
member of the world's media - to have a special welcome"
.
As part of the evening, guests were treated to performances from a
string quartet from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra....
.
.... as well as London 2012 Cultural Olympiad project Dance Sansaar,
a local Punjabi folk arts group,
seen here with Olympic and Paralympic
Gold medallists Edwin Moses (
right) and Lee Pearson (
centre)
.
Birmingham Airport have also unveiled London 2012 branding in and
around the airport including displays of pictograms representing the
Olympic and Paralympic sports, and the London 2012 Games motto
"Inspire a Generation" - photos of the ATC Tower can be seen
.
Monday 23 April 2012
A spectacular fireworks and light show starts as
.... with the Olympic Rings now illuminated the new
Members of the media await the countdown to the start of the light
The two sets of rings placed on either side of Birmingham Airport's
Monday 23 April 2012
