British names announced for Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games
On a day that British Athletics announced that The National Lottery would be the event partner for Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games, a number of British athletes have confirmed that they will compete at The Queen Elizabeth Park on 26-28 July.
All five British Olympic and 14 of the 16 Paralympic medallists have, so far, been confirmed to compete this summer at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games.
In the IAAF Diamond League, Jessica Ennis will double up in both the 100m hurdles and long jump, before being joined in Saturday afternoon’s event programme by double Olympic champion Mo Farah, who will run in the 3,000m, and Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford.
On Sunday, Paralympic heroes Jonnie Peacock, Richard Whitehead, Mickey Bushell and Josie Pearson will take on some of the best athletes in the world in a one-day IPC International Challenge, fresh from competing at the IPC World Championships in Lyon.
Olympic Heptathlon champion, Jessica Ennis said:
"I am really looking forward to competing in the London Anniversary Games – I have amazing memories of competing in the Olympic Stadium last year and it will be good to step out on that track again in front of a British crowd. I will never forget the noise the crowd made when I competed last August and know that the draw of the stadium and the great line up of athletes will fill the stands and make it another incredible occasion.
“I am training hard and am getting excited about the prospect of getting out there and competing again this summer.”
Paralympic T44 100m champion, Jonnie Peacock said:
“It’s going to be a fantastic day and it’s great that The National Lottery are going to be part of it given their support for so many athletes like me. I’m really excited, as it’s great to race in front of the British public and make them happy. There’s a huge positive energy in the Stadium and it’s a bonus that it’s a super quick track. It holds great memories for me and it will be great to go back there nearly a year on and see what I’ve got to offer.”
British Athletes confirmed as competing at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games are:
IAAF Diamond League
Men:
800m: Andrew Osagie, Mukhtar Mohammed
3000m: Mo Farah, Chris Thompson
110m Hurdles: Lawrence Clarke, Andy Turner
400m Hurdles: Dai Greene
Long jump: Greg Rutherford, Chris Tomlinson
High jump: Robbie Grabarz
Pole vault: Steve Lewis
Women:
400m: Christine Ohuruogu
800m: Jenny Meadows
100m hurdles: Jessica Ennis
400m hurdles: Perri Shakes-Drayton
Long jump: Shara Proctor
Katrina Johnson-Thompson
Jessica Ennis
Pole vault: Holly Bleasdale
IPC International Challenge
Individual athlete events are still to be confirmed. London 2012 medals highlighted in brackets.
Men:
Mickey Bushell (T53 100m gold medallist)
Dan Greaves (F44 discus silver medallist)
Ben Rushgrove (T36 200m bronze medallist)
Paul Blake (T36 400m silver & 800m bronze medallist)
Ola Abidogun (T46 100m bronze medallist)
Richard Whitehead (T42 200m gold medallist)
Jonnie Peacock (T44 100m gold medallist)
David Devine (T12 800m & 1500m bronze medallist)
Graeme Ballard (T36 100m silver medallist)
Women:
Josie Pearson (F51 discus gold medallist)
Katrina Hart (T35-38 relay bronze medallist)
Stef Reid (F44 long jump silver medallist)
Jenny McLoughlin (T35-38 relay bronze medallist)
Gemma Prescott (F32 club throw bronze medallist)