The West Midlands Mixed Authority (WMCA) has dedicated an extra £600,000 in direction of the internet hosting of the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
Financing for the video games got here into query, after Birmingham Metropolis Council declared efficient chapter in September.
At a gathering on Friday, the mixed authority agreed the cash, due to an underspend from the constructing of the Sandwell Aquatics Centre.
Councillor Bob Sleigh, portfolio lead for finance on the authority, mentioned dropping the occasion would have a “detrimental influence on town, area and UK as a complete”.
Birmingham Metropolis Council had initially agreed to underwrite the total price of staging the championships on the Alexander Stadium as a part of a joint bid with UK Athletics and UK Sport.
Nonetheless commissioners introduced in to make £300m of financial savings on the authority over the following two years have outlined it as a “non-essential”, Mr Sleigh informed the WMCA board assembly.
This had led to a £2.2m shortfall in funding for the occasion, which might be the primary time it had been held within the UK.
Addressing the assembly, the chief of Birmingham Metropolis Council, Councillor John Cotton mentioned it was “disappointing” it was not capable of useful resource the shortfall, and appreciated the monetary challenges native authorities have been beneath.
“We’re all going through actual difficulties now, however that, we can’t permit an occasion of this magnitude slip by way of our fingers,” he mentioned.
With out agreeing the brand new monetary plan, he mentioned, there was an actual prospect that Birmingham may lose the occasion.
European Athletics, he mentioned, have been on account of meet on 16 January to formally take into account the brand new plan.
In addition to £600,000 from the WMCA, the assembly heard, UK Athletics had assigned £250,000 in direction of the occasion, with the Division of Tradition, Media and Sport agreeing to place ahead £680,000 conditional on the authority’s contribution.
Birmingham Metropolis Council will present £670,000, which has been saved from works on Alexander Stadium.
Two amendments to the report have been additionally agreed, that the involvement of the WMCA be recognised and, from Mayor Andy Road, that the authority itself appears to be like into the potential of including £3m from its funds in direction of grassroots sports activities initiatives, to cowl that misplaced from the refinancing of the championships.
Mr Road mentioned: “It’s actually essential that main occasions like this depart an enduring legacy for residents.
“That’s why I’ve requested my workforce to make sure they pressure each sinew to guard grassroots and group funding.
“My assist for the European Athletics Championships nonetheless going forward was contingent on this modification.”