GB Athletes Help Lay Olympic Stadium Track
Athletes CJ Ujah and Adelle Tracey joined Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales, Brendan Foster and the Sharpe family from Plaistow in Newham, to help lay the first sections of the new track in the former Olympic Stadium ahead of the Great Newham London Run.
Nine year-old Tate Sharpe and his mother Simone, who live a few miles from the Stadium, will be among the first people to use the state-of-the-art track when they take part in the Great Newham London 2km Family Run this summer.
The Family Run, which is for children aged five to eighteen and accompanying adults, and the Great Newham London Run 10km are being held on Sunday 17th July and will give runners the only opportunity to run around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and into the former Olympic Stadium.
The Mondo track is exactly the same kind of track being used at the Rio 2016 Games. The updated track design uses an improved formulation of vulcanised rubber to deliver a quicker reaction time and make it the fastest Mondo track to date.
CJ Ujah from Enfield was still competing in junior ranks at the time of the London 2012 Games. He has since gone on to become one of six British men to have run under 10 seconds for the 100m, equaling his 9.96 second personal best on the stadium track last year.
CJ Ujah said: “It’s amazing to be here in the stadium and to be a part of laying the new track. The London 2012 track helped create some incredible memories and certainly inspired me to keep working hard to break through into the senior ranks.
“It’s perfect that people of all ages and abilities are going to be the first to run on this brand new track and have their own moment crossing the finish line. I can’t wait to come back and race on it myself.”
Helping to lay the track was Rio 2016 hopeful and St Mary’s University student Adelle Tracey. She was one of the seven teenage athletes chosen to light the Olympic flame at the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Since London 2012 Adelle Tracey has broken through to an international level and is now a contender for a Team GB 800m place at the Rio 2016 Games.
Adelle Tracey said: “Lighting the Olympic Flame during the London 2012 Opening Ceremony was an incredible honour and it is great to be back in the Stadium. I hope to have more golden moments on this track and I hope as many as possible take up the opportunity to run in this inspirational Stadium at the Great Newham London Run.”
Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham, said: “We all witnessed some inspirational displays in the stadium during the 2012 Games. The Great Newham London Run gives our residents and others the unique chance of following their footsteps in this iconic venue as well as creating new memories.
“The event’s popularity continues to grow each year. The countdown to the Rio Games and the chance to be among the first to run on this brand new track helps add even greater excitement to this year’s event. I would urge more people to follow the lead of the Sharpe family and sign up for the 10km or the Family Run.”
