16 July 2008

World 100m record holder Usain Bolt has promised “something very special” when he competes over his preferred distance, the 200m, at next weekend’s Aviva London Grand Prix.

Bolt who won the 200m at the Crystal Palace event last year and recently broke the 100m world record with a time of 9.72 seconds, will again run the longer sprint at the showpiece meeting.

Last month he completed a sprint double at Jamaica’s national championships to secure his place at this summer’s Olympics, beating rival Asafa Powell in the 100m on Saturday then winning the 200m a day later.

Bolt said: “Despite the fact I have been mainly running 100m this season, I still see the 200m as my best event. I know I am capable of something very special over the longer distance. I can’t wait to get out there and show just what I can do over 200m at the Aviva London Grand Prix.

“Crystal Palace is known as a quick track, there will be a truly world class field and there is always good support for the Jamaican athletes when we run in London. I can’t wait.”

Bolt will join Powell at the London meeting in what is likely to be their last outing before Beijing.

Powell will run in the 100m against America’s Tyson Gay, the 100m world champion, making it a mouth watering two days of competition with the three fastest men in history on show.

Taking place over two days for the first time in 23 years, the Aviva London Grand Prix will host a spectacular send off for our British athletes on Friday 25^th July (17:45-20:30) and Saturday 26^th July (13:30-17:30) as they finalise their Olympic preparations. Among the British athletes confirmed are Kelly Sotherton, Phillips Idowu, Nicola Sanders and Christine Ohuruogu.

Tickets for the Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on 25, 26th July 2008 are available by phone on 08000 556 056 or online at www.ukathletics.net