30 January 2009

Olympic women’s 4x400m squad member Vicki Barr (Rugby & Northampton) has been drafted into the Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland Team for Saturday’s Aviva International to replace Hayley Jones (Wigan AC) in the women’s 200m. Jones was withdrawn on medical grounds to give her more time to heal from a back injury.

19 year old Commonwealth Youth Champion and World Junior Championships finalist Abigail Irozuru (Sale Harriers) will be awarded her first ever GB & NI senior vest as she steps in to replace Kelly Sotherton (Birchfield Harriers) in the women’s long jump. Former Olympic heptathlon bronze medallist Sotherton withdrew earlier this week due to a back niggle.

Tom Parsons (Birchfield Harriers) has also withdrawn due to a slight muscle tear in his right foot. His place in the Aviva GB & NI Team for the men’s high jump will be taken by fellow Olympic finalist Martyn Bernard (Wakefield Harriers). Bernard moves from the Commonwealth Select Team, where his place will be taken by 2008 UK Indoor Champion Samson Oni (Belgrave Harriers).

The changes mean that there are twelve athletes who represented Team GB at the Beijing Olympic Games in the Aviva GB & NI Team and a further British Olympian – Jenny Meadows (Wigan AC) – lining up for the Commonwealth Select in the women’s 800m.

Tickets for the Aviva International Match at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow on Saturday 31st January are available by phone on 08000 556 056 or online at www.uka.org.uk