6 November 2013

Sprint trio James Dasaolu (coach: Steve Fudge) Jonnie Peacock (Fudge) and Kim Collins have all confirmed that they will compete at the Glasgow British Athletics International Match on Saturday 25 January 2014.

This year Dasaolu, who won 60m European Indoor Championships silver and also broke the 10 second barrier for the first time in his career, is hoping to put an early season marker down when he arrives for his Glasgow bow at the Emirates Arena.

“This will be my first time competing at the Glasgow British Athletics International Match, but I know that with the calibre of athletes heading to Scotland every year, I will be in for a test,” said Dasaolu. “I showed that I can produce fast times when it matters and I will be looking to put in a strong performance for the Scottish crowd come the end of January.”

After reaching the final of the 100m at the World Championships in Moscow, the 26 year old is hoping to use a strong 2013 as a building block for another big year in 2014.

“2013 was a breakthrough season for me winning a medal at the European Indoors, dipping below the 10 seconds for the first time and showing the world that I will be one to watch over the next few years. Next year, I hope to build on this with the World Indoors in Poland, and hopefully another trip onto the podium.”

Peacock meanwhile added world T44 100m gold to his Paralympic crown this year and after having the opportunity to run at the Sainsbury’s Grand Prix – Birmingham and the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games, he feels that this integration will help to continue the momentum created by London 2012.

“The Glasgow British Athletics International Match will be the first high profile indoor meet of my career and the first opportunity of the year to test myself against the world’s best. The British public have really taken to disability sport since London, and it was great to have a number of high profile meets over the summer before a major championships. To have an integrated event in Glasgow shows that the sport is coming together and I will be looking to put a show on for the crowd and put some points on the board,” said the 20 year old.

Peacock is more than aware of his competition in the T44 category after USA’s Richard Browne took his world record in the semi-finals of the IPC World Championships clocking a time of 10.83, which was improved to 10.75 at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games, but knows that he has the experience to pull out a performance when it matters.

“2013 has been an interesting year for me. With the emergence of Richard Browne, there was a lot of hype in the build-up the IPC World Championships, so to go out there and take the gold medal shows that I’m capable of producing my best on the big stage when it matters. Make no mistake, I will still be the one everyone is looking to beat, but I’m working hard to ensure that I remain on top. The Glasgow British Athletics International Match will give me that early test to get a gauge of where I am in terms of my training, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Collins will be making his fourth successive appearance at the Glasgow British Atheltics International Match and cites his affinity to the crowd as the main reason why he returns year after year.  

“I have a special connection with the UK, which is the main reason why I come back and compete every year. The crowd always treat me as one of their own and I’m really looking forward to being a part of the Glasgow British Athletics International Match. I have proved over and over again that despite being in my late 30s, I can compete with the very best over 60m and 100m, and I will be looking to show that once again in January.”

The 2003 100m world champion has shown no signs of ageing after running a personal best of 9.97 at the Lausanne Diamond League, and believes that he can keep rolling back the years and producing some more magical times in 2014.

“Not many athletes break PBs at 37 let alone reach 37 and still be competing at the top, so 2014 for me will be all about showing the world that age is no barrier. Glasgow always brings out the best crowds and I can’t wait to step foot on that track and get that warm reception I’m so accustomed to. This will almost be my version of the Commonwealth Games, so I will be looking to take in all the atmosphere on the day and show that Kim Collins can never be written off,” added Collins, who succeeded Linford Christie as the fastest ever 37 year old in 2013.

Dasaolu, Peacock and Collins will join World 4x400m relay bronze medallist Eilidh Child and European U23 1500m bronze medallist Laura Muir at the Glasgow British Athletics International Match.

Tickets for the 2014 British Athletics Series go on general sale on Thursday 7 November at 10am www.britishathletics.org.uk/british-athletics-series/home/