20 August 2009

WORLD CHAMPION, Phillips Idowu has been confirmed to compete at the Aviva British Grand Prix in Gateshead, after producing a lifetime best in Berlin.

Reflecting on his victory Idowu said: “It’s been a long time coming, last year was a big disappointment but I’ve come through that, I’ve improved and I’ve got a new personal best and the World Championship medal.”

Looking ahead to the Aviva British Grand Prix on August 31 he said:

“I’m now going to go and compete in Gateshead, I’m going there for everyone who has supported me this year back home and been there for me. I want to go out and put in a good performance there in front of my home crowd.”

Going head-to-head with Phillips will be the Gateshead based Brazilian triple jumper Jadel Gregorio.  Gregorio, who won World Championship silver in Osaka two years ago, returns home hoping for another win at the Aviva British Grand Prix.

He said: “I feel part of the North East community now, people have accepted me and I’m really looking forward to giving them a good show at Gateshead. Last year, I took first place and I’m hopeful I will do the same again. It would be a great way to finish the season by jumping around the 18m mark.”

Another World Championship triple-jump finalist, Nathan Douglas will also be competing on August 31.

North east long jump star Chris Tomlinson believes he has got what it takes to reach the final at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin and then return to Gateshead for the Aviva British Grand Prix on August 31 with a medal.

The 27-year-old won silver at the World Indoor Championships last year and now hopes to add another global medal to his haul. After failing to make the final at the World Championships in Osaka two years ago, and suffering injury problems last summer that put paid to a strong performance at the Beijing Olympic Games, Tomlinson is determined to shine in Berlin and reach Saturday’s final.

Tomlinson is confident that his season so far – which includes a jump of 8.23m back in June, just 6cm shy of his British best, and a second place finish behind American World number one Dwight Phillips – has put him in a strong position. He explains his routine since Crystal Palace where he jumped 8.21m last month, his best ever distance in Britain:

“After London I went back in to a heavy training set for a few weeks which was a bit monotonous but it had to be done. Just recently I have been relaxing ready for qualifying on Thursday evening. My first thought would obviously be to get to the final then once there to jump out of my skin. I know I’ve got the potential to do that – and lots of other people believe I’ve got the potential, but it’s actually about doing it.”

A week after the conclusion of the IAAF World Championships Tomlinson, Idowu, Douglas and Gregorio will return to the North East and compete at the Aviva British Grand Prix at the Gateshead International Stadium on August 31. For tickets visit www.uka.org.uk or 08000 556 056