12 August 2008

Great Britain’s 400m teammates, Nicola Sanders and Christine Ohuruogu, are set to continue their rivalry at the Aviva British Grand Prix in Gateshead just 12 days after the Olympic 400m final.

The pair will meet again at the International Stadium on Sunday August 31 and will be joined on the start line by the current and two-time world 200m champion, Allyson Felix, in what should be a thrilling afternoon of athletics in the north east.

Christine Ohuruogu is one of Britain’s realistic contenders to bring back a medal from Beijing while Sanders, who was narrowly beaten to the finish line by Ohuruogu in last year’s World Championships will look to push her rival all the way and is looking forward to competing at Gateshead.

She said: “The Gateshead crowd always create a superb atmosphere and I really hope we can give them all something to shout about on our return from Beijing.”

The Gateshead meeting will also be the first outing post-Beijing for the majority of Britain’s returning track and field stars.

This year’s event marks the first major global track meeting in the north east since 2006. The Aviva British Grand Prix will now be held in Gateshead until at least 2010.

Gateshead Council cabinet member for culture Cllr Linda Green said, "We are expecting nearly 200 top athletes from 25 nations to be competing right here in Gateshead almost as soon as they get off the plane from the Beijing Olympics.”

"We’re going to see some great competition and I’m expecting a large and vocal crowd to go with it to see world class athletics at its very best on Tyneside."

Stella Hall, Creative Director of the culture ¹⁰ programme, based at NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: "Sport, and athletics in particular, is a central part of NewcastleGateshead’s cultural life and so we are delighted AVIVA Grand Prix is part of our world-class festivals and events programme.  Attracting such a prestigious event immediately after the Olympics confirms the region’s already excellent reputation for top international sporting events especially in the build up towards 2012."

The Aviva British Grand Prix is one of the key sporting events taking place in 2008 as part of NewcastleGateshead’s world-class festivals and events programme.  www.NewcastleGateshead.com

Tickets for the Aviva British Grand Prix are now available on 08000 556 056 or online at www.ukathletics.net