23 January 2014

World Indoor 60m champion Richard Kilty was in confident mood on the eve of tomorrow’s Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match, where he will compete as part of the GB & NI team against Scotland, France and Germany.

It will be Kilty’s first indoor competition since his World Indoor Championships victory in Sopot last March when he lines up at the Emirates Arena and the 25 year old is excited to return to the indoor track.

He said: “I’ve got good memories from completing here in Scotland – it was amazing to get a silver medal in the Commonwealth Games here last year.

“I’ve not been to this match since I was a youngster in 2006. I’m quite nervous and excited about tomorrow  as It’s the first 60m I have ran since I crossed the line in Sopot last year, and it’ll be great to be announced as World Champion.

“I’ve worked my butt off all winter but it’s with a view to succeeding outdoors but I hope it will translate to a good 60m season, if I can open faster than I did in 2014 which was 6.68 then that’s great. Tomorrow is more about enjoying the atmosphere and being in the match and taking the win rather than the time, and I can move forward from that.”

Guy Learmonth (coach: George Gandy) is one of the leading names in the Scottish team and the Commonwealth 800m finalist is looking forward to competing on home soil again in Glasgow following last summer’s Commonwealth Games in the Scottish city.

Learmonth said: “My preparations have gone really well and while I’m not getting ahead of myself, I’m excited to get my 2015 campaign underway. It’s great to be in Glasgow and I want to make sure I deliver. The main aim is to win with a quick time as well.

“Winning here last year was a big turning point. It was a national record and a world lead at the time, so it was a big win for me. It set the stall of where I wanted to go for the rest of the season. Now I’ve made that big step up, I think I’m ready to take it to that next level.”

Verena Sailer, victorious over 60mat the Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match in 2013, will captain the Germany team and the former European champion is anticipating a great atmosphere for an event with a unique international format.

She said: “I’m excited to compete; it’s a nice venue and a good track. In the UK you always have a good atmosphere in the stadium and I really like that. I really have to stay focused to do my best."

For tickets to the Sainsbury’s Indoor Grand Prix visit britishathletics.org.uk. Sainsbury’s is proud to be a long-term supporter of British Athletics and a champion of inclusive sport for all, from grassroots to elite level.