9 July 2014

Two-time Olympic champion Felix Sanchez today visited a local Sainsbury’s store in Partick in aid of charity, ahead of his appearance at the Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix on 11-12 July at Hampden Park.

The 36 year old, who won the 400m hurdles at London 2012 to go with his triumph in Athens eight years earlier, was asked to name as many fruit and vegetables as possible inside his personal best of 47.25 seconds. A sizable basket followed, which was donated to Emmaus, a charity and community working together to end homelessness.

Debbie Barnes, the Store Manager at Partick said: “When we heard Felix was visiting our store all our colleagues and customers were very excited, it isn’t every day an Olympic gold medallist comes to your store. Felix signed loads of autographs today and has created a real buzz in the store and in our local community. On behalf of all our colleagues and customers we wish him all the very best with his future Competitions

“The fruit and veg we have donated today with the help of Felix of course means that the companions, homeless and socially excluded (Emmaus charity) of Glasgow will enjoy the fresh fruit and vegetables.  It’s always a pleasure to help these charities in our local communities because as always they are truly grateful for any donations received.”   

On the track Sanchez is looking to end four successive fourth place finishes this weekend, and will line up in a world-class field, which includes Javier Culson, Ashton Eaton and Diamond Race Leader Michael Tinsley and is hoping to better his season’s best of 48.91.

“I’m really excited, it’s a great field at the Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix and I’m excited about running fast. I’ve run at a lot of tracks and it’s not very often you get to compete in a new stadium. It looks beautiful in pictures and I can’t wait to get inside, see the atmosphere and give it a go.”

“The main goal is to run well, execute and run as close to 48.5 as possible and break into the top three after four fourths. That will make my trip worthwhile and I can go home and have a good month of training before I return to Europe.”

The Dominican Republic athlete will also face a trio of British athletes, which includes British Champion Niall Flannery (Nick Dakin) and European Champion Rhys Williams (Adrian Thomas), while there is also a welcome return for 2011 World Champion Dai Greene (Malcolm Arnold), who marked his comeback earlier this week with victory in Budapest posting a time of 48.89.

Talking about the British hurdlers, Sanchez said: “There are a lot of guys in Britain chomping at the bit around that 49 mark trying to break in the 48 mid area so the future looks bright, but it’s a challenge to get past that 48.5 barrier.”

Two years on from one of the most memorable moments from the London 2012 Games, Sanchez is looking forward to getting back in front of a British crowd at the Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix.

“Between Britain and Switzerland there are the most knowledgeable of crowds and it’s always a pleasure to get in that atmosphere and walk in the stadium to some noise. They know what to expect and who’s running, it’s just a different feel as an athlete. It really ups the ante and you get that extra adrenalin rush knowing that you’re competing against the best in front of some of the best.”

Tickets for the Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix at Hampden Park on July 11-12 are available by visiting http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/british-athletics-series/sainsburys-glasgow-grand-prix/