World Indoor Championships hailed "one of the most successful of all time"

The IAAF World Indoor Championships in Birmingham have been hailed as "one of the most successful of all time" after four days of thrilling athletics at Arena Birmingham.

The championships, the 17th in the event's history, went ahead despite freezing weather that brought snow and travel disruption across the country, and thousands of spectators battled through the conditions to be there.

Records tumble

One world record, three championship records and 26 national records were broken during the event. More than 550 athletes from 133 countries took part, supported by 750 volunteers, known as Gems.

The United States topped the medal table. Roared on by a home crowd, the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team finished fourth with seven medals, four golds, a silver and two bronzes, matching their haul from 2003, the last time the championships were held in Birmingham.

A dream come true

One of the British golds went to team co-captain Andy Pozzi, who won the 60 metres hurdles on the final evening. Pozzi, from nearby Stratford-upon-Avon, has competed at the arena since he was young.

"This is honestly a dream come true and to do it in Birmingham just multiplies that ten-fold," he said. "I absolutely loved every second in that stadium. The crowd were phenomenal and during my lap of honour, to see so many familiar faces and local faces, was just so amazing."

Praise from the top

IAAF president Lord Sebastian Coe thanked the organisers and the fans. "I'd like to thank the organising committee, Birmingham City Council, the athletes and the fans - who fought through pretty extraordinary weather conditions to be here," he said.

The event was organised jointly by Birmingham City Council and British Athletics on behalf of the IAAF. Council leader Ian Ward said the city had again shown that it has everything needed to host world-class sport.

"It was an absolute honour to stage the IAAF World Indoor Championships, and despite the freezing conditions outside, the spectators inside Arena Birmingham created a red-hot atmosphere for the athletes," he said. He also paid tribute to the volunteers, officials and organising committee. "Despite all of the challenges they faced, they rose to them and made this a Championships to remember."

A city of athletics

The championships are the latest in a long line of major athletics events in Birmingham, which regularly hosts the world's leading indoor meeting at the arena and a round of the Diamond League at the Alexander Stadium.

There is more to come this year. The British Athletics Championships will be held at the Alexander Stadium on 30 June and 1 July, followed by the Müller Grand Prix, part of the Diamond League, on 18 August.

The success of the event is also an encouraging sign as the city prepares to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022, when athletics will again be at the heart of the programme. For organisers, staging a global championship in such difficult conditions will be seen as proof that Birmingham can deliver on the biggest stage.