13 August 2009

British athletes head to the IAAF World Championships in Berlin this weekend with the prospect of winning an Alfa Romeo sports car if they make it onto the podium.* The car manufacturer has extended the incentive, also made at the Beijing Olympics, to all British medallists, as part of its ongoing commitment to UK Athletics (UKA).

The 60-strong squad representing Great Britain & Northern Ireland will be looking to match its tally of five medals achieved in the last World Championships, in Osaka, two years ago led by Olympic and World Champion Christine Ohuruogu.

One of the leading medal contenders is heptathlete, Jessica Ennis. Currently leading the world rankings, the 23-year old from Sheffield, missed the Beijing Olympics due to injury, but has returned to spectacular form, scoring a personal best in May of 6,587 points. Reigning silver Olympic medallist and Indoor World Champion, Phillips Idowu will also be bidding for gold.

Damien Dally, Brand Communications Manager of Alfa Romeo, commented: “Passion, performance and pride are at the sporting heart of Alfa Romeo and we wanted to show our support to the athletes as they head to the World Championships.  We wish all the athletes every success and hope to be handing out as many cars as possible on their return from Berlin!”

Steve Backley OBE, former javelin world record holder, now acts as a Performance Advisor to the Aviva GB & NI athletics team and drives an Alfa Saloon 1.9. He commented: “There’s no doubt that the title of World Champion is motivation enough for these athletes but the chance of winning a car is certainly a huge bonus!”

Most of the team have spent the last week at the Aviva Preparation camp in Monte Gordo, Portugal and will now head for Berlin, where the nine-day Championships get underway in the Berlin Olympic Stadium, on Saturday 15^th August.