Bolt To Line-up For Anniversary Games
Six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt is among 29 Olympic medallists, including 12 champions and four world record holders, who have so far been confirmed for the IAAF Diamond League at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on the 26th to 28th July – one year on from the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Games.
Bolt will run the 100m on Friday evening and in the 4x100m on Saturday afternoon.
Other than the Olympics, Bolt has not raced in Britain since 2009, when he last competed in the London Grand Prix, because of tax rules which would force him to give up a share of any appearance or prize money and a cut of any endorsements.
However, the exemption for ‘non-resident athletes’ in the Budget – revealed last month – has removed that financial consideration.
A three-day festival of the world’s best athletics, the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games will also welcome heroes from last summer’s Paralympic Games in a one-off IPC International Challenge on Sunday 28th July.
Bolt, who repeated his Olympic treble winning feat from Beijing at last summer’s London 2012 Games, revealed his excitement at the prospect of returning to The Stadium where he won three gold medals in the 100m, 200m and as a part of the world record breaking 4x100m Jamaican relay team.
‘I’m looking forward to coming back to the UK, especially with it being a year since winning three gold medals in the Olympic Stadium. The crowd were amazing at the Games, and I hope they will be out again in their numbers at the end of July.’
‘I haven’t competed at the London Diamond League since 2009 but it has always been a great meet with lots of Jamaican support – it almost feels like running at home.’
It has been a big week of announcements for British Athletics and the Anniversary Games, with Sainsbury’s confirmed as title sponsor and The National Lottery on board as Event Partner.
Elsewhere, World and Olympic champion Sally Pearson will line up in a star-studded 100m hurdles, which includes 2011 World silver medallist Danielle Carruthers, Olympic bronze medallist Kellie Wells and Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis.
On the flat, Carmelita Jeter, the second fastest woman of all time, will star in the women’s 100m after winning 4x100m gold 100m silver and 200m bronze in last summer’s Games; while the men’s 110m hurdles features Aries Merritt, the Olympic champion and world record holder, as well as Olympic silver and bronze medallists Jason Richardson and Hansle Parchment.
The men’s 400m will also have the full complement of medallists from London 2012, with gold medallist Kirani James taking on the two men that he beat on his way to victory in last summer – Lalonde Gordon and Luguelin Santos – with reigning World champion, Dai Greene competiting in the 400m hurdles.
Olympic gold medallist Sanya Richards-Ross headlines the women’s 400m, as she continues her rivalry with 2008 Olympic Champion, 2012 silver medallist and local London hero Christine Ohuruogu.
Following on from yesterday’s announcement that double Olympic champion Mo Farah will run in the 3,000m, Farah’s training partner Olympic 10,000m silver medallist Galen Rupp will join fellow American and Olympic 1500m silver medallist Leo Manzano at the Sainbury’s Anniversary Games in the Emsley Carr Mile.
Pre-registration for tickets for the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games will close at midnight on Wednesday 17th April. Fans can register for free via www.britishathletics.org.uk
