16 August 2014

Newly crowned 2014 European 10,000m champion Mo Farah (coach: Alberto Salazar) has confirmed that he will race over 2 miles at the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix on Sunday 24 August.

The final IAAF Diamond League of the season in the UK this year at Alexander Stadium will be the first opportunity this year for British athletics fans to cheer on Mo Farah on the track after he was disappointed to have to withdraw from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. It will also be his first race on British soil since his debut in the London Marathon in April this year.

Speaking after retaining his European 10,000m title in Zurich, the double Olympic and World Champion Mo Farah said:

“I was gutted to have to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games but am really pleased that I’ll be back on the track racing for British fans at the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix. I’ve retained my European 10,000m title and hope to be carrying the 5,000m Gold medal with me as well when I come to Birmingham next week. I can’t wait to race again in Birmingham, I have competed there many times in the past and the fans always give all the athletes huge support.”

Mo Farah will race over 2 miles in the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix on Sunday 24 August against an international field including European Championship teammate and Silver medalist Andy Vernon, Emmanuel Bett (Kenya), Bashir Abdi (Belgium), Hassan Mead (USA) and Zane Robertson (New Zealand).

The Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix will also welcome world 400m gold medallist Christine Ohuruogu (Lloyd Cowan) and Paralympic stars David Weir (Jenny Archer), Hannah Cockroft (Jenni Banks) and Jonnie Peacock (Steve Fudge), who will line up for the Sainsbury’s IPC Grand Prix Final immediately after the IAAF Diamond League meet.

The Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix and IPC Grand Prix Final is the combined finale of the Sainsbury’s Series of major British athletics events showcasing the best UK and international sports stars and inspiring young people to take up sport.

Tickets for the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix on Sunday 24 July are available via britishathletics.org.uk