15th January 2013

ALDAMA CONFIRMS GLASGOW DATE IN BRITISH ATHLETICS SERIES

15th January 2013

World Indoor triple jump champion Yamile Aldama (coach: Frank Attoh) has confirmed that she will compete at the British Athletics Glasgow International Match at the Emirates Arena on Saturday 26th January. 

Aldama, who jumped a season’s best 14.82m to take gold in Istanbul last March, will represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland as they go head-to-head with teams from the Commonwealth, Germany, Russia and the USA in the unique international format.

The 40 year old was a comfortable winner in Glasgow last year with a jump of 14.03m and she will look to retain her title and get 2013 off to a good start when she takes to the runway again for the first time since August.

The 1999 World Championship silver medallist overcame a shoulder injury to finish fifth at the Olympic Games in London last August and is looking for a strong start to her season when she takes to the runway in Glasgow.

“I really enjoy competing indoors and winning at Glasgow last year was a fantastic experience that set me up for my performance at the World Indoors. Hopefully I can perform well again this year and give myself good preparation for the European Indoor Championships in Gothenburg.”

The British Athletics Glasgow International Match will be the first top class athletics meeting to be held at Glasgow’s brand new 5,000 seat state-of-the-art Emirates Arena and Aldama is looking forward to competing in front of the Scottish crowd. 

“The Emirates Arena looks like a fantastic facility and it’s a great opportunity to be able to compete there. It’s always great to jump on home soil and I’m sure the Glasgow crowd will create another brilliant atmosphere and give plenty of support to the British athletes.”

Amongst those that Aldama will face in Glasgow is 2005 World champion and double-Commonwealth gold medallist Trecia Smith of Jamaica, who will represent the Commonwealth Select team.

Also competing in Glasgow will be World Indoor 4x400m relay champion Perri Shakes-Drayton (Chris Zah), Olympic high jump bronze medallist Robbie Grabarz (Fayyaz Ahmed), World Indoor pole vault bronze medallist Holly Bleasdale (Dan Pfaff), World Indoor long jump bronze medallist Shara Proctor (Rana Reider), former World 100m Champion Kim Collins and Scotland’s three-time Olympian Lee McConnell (Rodger Harkins).

Watch the British Athletics Glasgow International Match live on BBC1 between 1:30-4:30pm.