01 March 2012

Athletics golden couple Hannah England and Luke Gunn have urged British fans to bring an electrifying atmosphere to athletics events in the UK this summer as Aviva Series tickets are released today for the must-see Aviva 2012 Trials, Aviva London Grand Prix and Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix.

England, who won a World Championships silver medal over 1500m last year, and Gunn, the reigning British champion over 3000m steeplechase, are encouraging as many Brits as possible to fill the stands and support the country’s best athletes at the UK’s biggest events this summer  – especially fans who were unable to secure tickets to athletics at London 2012.

England said: “This summer is what we’ve all been working towards and it is going to be the most exciting few months ever for athletics in this country. I know that thousands of fans unfortunately missed out on athletics tickets for the Olympics, but all is not lost. I would love for as many new athletics fans to come and watch the Olympic trials and the Diamond League events if they want to see the best of our sport this summer.”

The 24-year-old added: “The Olympic trials in June are a tense spectacle in their own right. I’d love to win the trials – I’ve won them for the last two years and to win a third time is a big goal of mine ahead of the Olympics. The two Diamond League events in London and Birmingham are always such high quality too and I love racing in them. They’re a real glimpse of the Olympics, with the best athletes in the world going head-to-head.”

“They are all really fan-friendly meets and the support from home crowds is amazing as an athlete. It feels like the atmosphere in 2012 will be louder and better than ever judging by the indoor events that we’ve just had.”

The summer action kicks off with the Aviva 2012 Trials at the Birmingham Alexander Stadium, which will see 750 of the country’s best athletes go head-to-head on 22^nd-24^th June in a bid to represent Britain at the Olympics this summer.

The Aviva London Grand Prix then takes place on 13^th-14^th July at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious events in the global athletics calendar and the only two-day Samsung Diamond League meet, this will be the last chance for fans to catch a glimpse of the world’s best in action before the Games.

The world’s best athletes will then return shortly after the Olympics on 26^th August for the Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix, the UK’s final Samsung Diamond League event of the year and a chance for fans to welcome back the heroes of 2012.

Gunn believes that interest in this year’s events will be higher than ever, with the Aviva 2012 Trials a particularly crucial junction in his season.

The 26-year-old said: “For me personally, the Olympic trials in late June are the most important first hurdle to cross and the tension and excitement there will be huge as we all try to lock in qualification spots.”

“There’s so much amazing athletics this summer and anyone who’s not been able to get Olympic tickets has a great opportunity to see the best of the best at the Aviva Series events.”

Tickets for the Aviva Series are on general sale from today, 1^st March. Any tickets purchased before 31^st March will receive a 10% early bird discount.

To purchase tickets for the 2012 Aviva Series, call 08000 55 60 56 or visit uka.org.uk/aviva-series