14 May 2014

Nine athletes amassing a total of 11 Olympic and Paralympic titles and 16 world titles have been confirmed for the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games at Horse Guards Parade Ground on Sunday 20 July.

The field, which promises to be one of the most stellar gatherings of world class athletes this year will thrill the 20,000 capacity crowd in a ground breaking track and field arena constructed by British Athletics’ event partners Nova.

Yohan Blake the second fastest man ever over 100m has confirmed, joining Britain’s Greg Rutherford in targeting both the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games and the Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix. The Jamaican will lock horns with the evergreen Kim Collins, who recorded a personal best of 9.97 last year at the age of 37.

Blake announced earlier on Twitter: “Twitter fam I will be back in London for the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games on July 20^th! See you there!” 

Also forming a part of the $1 million athlete budget will see the return of Olympic pole vault champion Renaud Lavillenie, who broke the Sergey Bubka’s long-standing world record in February with a clearance of 6.16m. The Frenchman will return to London after his 2012 triumph and his victory at last year’s Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games, which was held in front of a sell-out 60,000 crowd.

Lavillenie added: “Can’t wait to make my third appearance in London! Let’s hope the crowd is as good this time round at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games.”  

In the men’s 110m hurdles, there will be a mouth-watering battle between 2008 Olympic Champion Dayron Robles, 2012 Olympic Champion and world record holder Aries Merritt and 2013 world champion David Oliver.

Oliver said:  “I love London! Can’t wait to compete at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games in a purpose built stadium on Horse Guards Parade!! July 20.”

Six-time Paralympic and world champion David Weir (Jenny Archer) will also headline proceedings at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games as the ‘Weirwolf’ returns to the scene of his greatest triumph at London 2012.

After an injury-interrupted few years, Blanka Vlasic will return to the high jump bed as the 2008 Olympic champion looks to return to the heights of 2009, where she cleared 2.09m – a mark only beaten by one other athlete in the history of the event.