08 January 2010

USA track and field stars will be out in force at the Aviva International Match in Glasgow on January 30 and defending World Champion Lolo Jones believes she can lead her team to victory.

Jones, who will captain the US team, won the 60m hurdles at Kelvin Hall last year and she hopes that a return trip at the end of the month will result in retaining her title as well as the US track and field team leaving with the Aviva International Match Cup in hand.

“I’m looking forward to captaining the US team at the Aviva International Match.  It looks like it will be one of the strongest teams we have sent there and of course we hope that we can lift the cup at the end of the event,” said the 27-year-old from Iowa.

“I love competing in Glasgow as there’s always a great atmosphere and it’s a nice way to start the season.  The competition will of course be tough and looking at the names who are confirmed already it looks like it will be a great meet.

“I won in Kelvin Hall last year so I would like to defend my title and hopefully it will be just the start I need to also defend my World Indoor title.  Like I said, I cannot wait to captain our team in Scotland and I hope I can lead us to victory.

Jones will once again go head-to-head with Sarah Claxton, who will run for the Aviva GB and NI team.  The American was the only hurdler to run sub-eight seconds, in 7.95secs, when she beat Claxton at last year’s Aviva International Match.

Claxton will join Britain’s leading ladies, Jenny Meadows, Lisa Dobriskey and captain Jessica Ennis, who have already been confirmed in the Aviva GB and NI team.

Ennis said: “It’s great to have Sarah in the team.  She pushed Lolo all the way last year in Kelvin Hall and I’m sure will be looking to go one better this season.”

Alongside the Aviva GB and NI team and the USA, teams from the Commonwealth, Germany and Sweden will complete the Aviva International Match.

Tickets for the Aviva International Match at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow on Saturday 30th January are available by phone on 08000 556 056 or online at www.uka.org.uk