French try to steal 2012 Olympic athletes from Birmingham

May 17 2009 by Paul Suart, Sunday Mercury

A DIPLOMATIC row has erupted after the President of Calais ridiculed Birmingham as a training base for the 2012 Olympics – in a bid to poach athletes to France.

Dominique Dupilet has launched a £17 million campaign to promote the French sea port to sports teams who were considering the UK’s second city.

And in an astonishing attack the official, President of the Pas-de-Calais region, criticised the lifestyle of Brummies and rubbished our culinary expertise.

Mr Dupilet, 64, said: “Who wants to go to Birmingham?