23rd January 2019

LONG JUMP STARS SPANOVIC AND SAWYERS TO JOIN THE WORLD’S BEST AT MÜLLER INDOOR GRAND PRIX

  • Leading long jumpers Ivana Spanović (SER) and Jazmin Sawyers (GBR) confirmed for women’s competition at Müller Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham
  • Meeting on 16 Feb is ranked as the world’s number one indoor athletics event
  • Tickets are now sold out for the world’s number one ranked indoor grand prix

Two leading long jumpers have today been confirmed to compete at Arena Birmingham in February, at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham.

Leading the line-up is reigning IAAF World Indoor Champion Ivana Spanović alongside European silver medallist Jazmin Sawyers, with both athletes returning to compete in front of the passionate Birmingham crowd.

The Müller Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham is the world’s number one ranked indoor athletics event with many world leading athletics stars on show for fans to see go head to head at Arena Birmingham.

The long jump queen of the indoors as well as holding Olympic and world outdoor bronze medals, Spanović, is one of Serbia’s most successful ever athletes with a plethora of medals over a successful career. Spanović’s indoor personal best of 7.24m – the mark that saw her win European Indoor gold on home soil in 2017 – is also the third furthest indoor jump in history.

Lining up against Spanović, talented Brit Sawyers will be returning to Birmingham in early 2019 where she will be hoping to secure a podium finish following a strong winter training overseas with her training group in the US.

Ahead of returning to Birmingham, City of Stoke athlete Jazmin Sawyers said:

“When it comes to thinking about competing in Birmingham, I immediately think of two things: winning the British title while also making the Olympic team back in 2016, and jumping my personal best of 6.86m last year. Birmingham is a city that holds some truly amazing, memories for me, and so, obviously I want to carry on that being the case!”

Turning her attention to competing at the world’s number-one ranked indoor meeting, she added:

“It’s been a tough winter of being in the gym, running hills and preparing for a year that I want to truly be at my best, but you put all of that work in to peak towards events such as the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham.

“I know that the competition will be a world-class test for me to see exactly where I am, and I am looking to put some big jumps down in front of another amazing British crowd.”

The Müller Indoor Grand Prix has seen some memorable and famous performances in recent years from British stars such as Sir Mo Farah, Dina Asher-Smith, Laura Muir, with the prospect of more memorable world-class moments in February to come for the Birmingham crowds.

Reigning World and European Indoor Champion, Ivana Spanovič said:

“After last year’s world indoor championships in Birmingham, I can’t wait to return to the Arena Birmingham. Winning my first ever world title in this venue means that stepping back out onto the runway there will be particularly special, and ultimately my aim is to win the competition once this time around too.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to compete in the UK a lot over the years, and If all goes to plan I will hope to really put on a show for the Birmingham crowd on February 16.”

The Müller Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham will be televised live on BBC One from 13:15 – 16:30.

Tickets are no longer available, however any returns will be available to purchase online from 10am on Friday 1st February via www.britishathletics.org.uk.

Arena Birmingham also plays host to the SPAR British Athletics Indoor Championships on February 9-10, with tickets to see the best athletes in Britain go head to head still available via https://www.britishathletics.org.uk/events-and-tickets/spar-british-athletics-indoor-championships/