Coe knows value of Euro indoor Games
Lord Coe has stressed the importance of Birmingham hosting next year's European Indoor Championships, insisting it is the first major build-up to the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Coe himself made his first major breakthrough as a world-class athlete when winning the European indoor 800metres title in San Sebastian nearly 30 years ago. The victory kick-started a spectacular career which saw him go on to win two Olympic 1,500m gold medals and set 12 world records.
"I was a relatively unknown athlete when I competed at those championships and that international experience was an incredibly important milestone in my career," said Coe.
Coe believes future stars could also take their first tentative steps to Olympic success in Birmingham.
He said: "For many young athletes, the road to London 2012 will start there next year and I will be watching in keen anticipation for 2012 Olympians.
"The World Indoor Championships held in Birmingham in 2003 are still held up as a blueprint for major sports events around the world and I have every confidence that the Europeans in 2007 will be equally successful."
The event will be staged at the National Indoor Arena from March 2-4, the venue which successfully hosted the IAAF World Indoor Championships three years ago.
