01 May 2014

Yohan Blake, the world’s second fastest man of all time over 100m has confirmed that he will run against Britain’s Adam Gemili (coach: Steve Fudge), World Indoor 60m champion Richard Kilty (Rana Reider) and 2003 world 100m champion Kim Collins at the Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix on July 11.

Only countryman Usain Bolt has run quicker than Blake, who ran 9.69 in Lausanne in 2012, and the 24 year old is ready to return from an injury-disrupted 2013 by running at the first IAAF Diamond League in the UK this year at Hampden Park. 

Blake, who will make is first ever visit to Scotland when he lines up in the 100m on Friday night said: “I’m really excited to be coming back to the UK this summer. After such a strong 2012, it was disappointing not to be able to continue that form into 2013 due to injury. However, I’m looking to use the Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix to show the world I’m back and ready to light up the track once again.”

The Jamaican, who won a gold and two silver medals at the London 2012 Olympic Games is well aware of the challenge facing him, but is determined to prove that he is in shape to go even quicker at the Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix.

“The UK gave the Jamaicans a big welcome for the Olympic Games and I know the British public will put on another great show in July. The competition in the Diamond League rivals the competition you get at major championships and it’s that challenge that motivates me. I know it won’t be easy, but I’m determined to show that ‘The Beast’ is back bigger and better at the Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix.”

Kilty saw off some of the world’s best athletes to win what was considered by many quarters as a surprise gold medal in Sopot and is ready to build on his credentials and is aiming to take more scalps this summer.

“It has been an unforgettable start to the season for me. Running personal bests and winning the World Indoor Championships has put me up there in the world of sprinting and I’m determined to stay there,” said Kilty, who will be facing Blake for the first time.  

“Now it’s all about translating my 60m form into the 100m and the Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix will give me the platform to test myself against the very best out there. Yohan (Blake), Kim (Collins) and Adam (Gemili) are all great athletes in their own right and I know it’s going to take a fast time to win the race. However, I showed in Poland that I have confidence in my ability and I’m ready to show that again on the biggest stage this summer starting with the Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix.”  

Kilty’s compatriot Adam Gemili, who is also yet to race against Blake has also enjoyed recent good fortunes after becoming the second fastest British athlete over 200m of all time clocking 19.98 at the 2013 IAAF World Championships. With British sprinting enjoying a resurgence, the former Chelsea trainee footballer is looking forward to challenging himself against the very best at Hampden Park in July.

Gemili said: “2013 was a great year for me dipping under 20 seconds in Moscow and now I will be looking to make similar progress in the 100. The Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix will present me with the opportunity to go up against the best in the world and give me a springboard for the championships ahead this summer.

“The UK always brings together the best field of athletes and I’m sure the Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix will be no different to what we experienced at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games last year.”

The event also sees a return to the UK for the evergreen Kim Collins, who at 38 years old is producing the best form of his career running a personal best of 9.97 last year at the Lausanne Diamond League. Despite admitting athletes are improving year on year, the 2003 world champion is not fazed by the challenge that faces him at the Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix.

“The competition in the 100m never gets any easier and the talent not only on the international scene but in the UK is getting stronger and stronger. To be able to compete at the Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix against the likes of (Yohan) Blake, (Richard) Kilty and (Adam) Gemili is something I will relish and I’ll do everything in my power to show that I’m still a main contender.”  

Blake, Gemili, Kilty and Collins will join the likes of double Olympic and world champion Mo Farah (Alberto Salazar), Olympic long jump gold medallist Greg Rutherford (Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo), world 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu (Lloyd Cowan), world 4x400m bronze medallist Eilidh Child (Malcolm Arnold), Paralympic T12 100m silver medallist Libby Clegg, with more of the box office names to be announced shortly. 

Tickets for the Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix on July 11-12 at Hampden Park are on sale here.