6th July 2017

MEN’S RELAY TEAM TO RECEIVE BEIJING MEDALS AT MÜLLER ANNIVERSARY GAMES

Team GB’s men’s 4x400m relay team from 2008 will receive a heroes’ reception at the Müller Anniversary Games on 9 July, when they are awarded their overdue Olympic bronze medals from Beijing.

The quartet of Martyn Rooney (coach: Graham Hedman), Andrew Steele (Chris Zah), Robert Tobin (Todd Bennett) and Michael Bingham (George Williams) were moved up from fourth to third after Russia’s disqualification, when retrospective testing of urine samples found that anchor runner Denis Alekseyev had used a banned substance.

The four British athletes will finally get their podium moment at the Müller Anniversary Games in the London Stadium, in front of a cheering British crowd.

Two-time European 400m champion Martyn Rooney said: “I can’t wait to step on the podium at the Müller Anniversary Games with my teammates and finally get the Olympic medals we all deserve.

While it would have been an unforgettable moment to receive my medal in Beijing, I can’t think of a better substitute than to stand on the podium in the London Stadium, in front of an appreciative and supportive British crowd.”

Rooney added: “I’m sure it will be an emotional moment for all of us, but it will also be a great boost to the GB team in what will be our send-off event before the World Championships.

“Having another global event on home soil is huge, so although getting my medal will be amazing, I’ll be fully focussed on delivering a strong performance at the Müller Anniversary Games to set me up for the competition in the coming weeks.”

Twelve reigning Olympic champions, including Sir Mo Farah, 23 Olympic silver and bronze medallists from Rio, and eleven current world champions will take part in this year’s star-studded Müller Anniversary Games, which will be the last chance for many athletes to compete ahead of the IAAF World Championships on 4-13 August.

British Athletics is encouraging fans to turn out in red, white and blue and cheer on the Brits as they prepare for one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

For tickets to see the world’s best athletes at the Müller Anniversary Games go to www.britishathletics.org.uk