09 July 2010 

TYSON GAY (USA – 100m)

The second fastest man in history with a 9.69 sec best for the distance will compete in his first 100m race of the season at the Aviva British Grand Prix. The three-time World Championship gold medallist and the 100m runner-up in Berlin 2009 will be keen to repeat the victory he took in Gateshead last year.

ASAFA POWELL (JAM – 100m)

The reigning Commonwealth champion Powell returns to Gateshead International Stadium for the first time since he clocked an outstanding 9.87 sec in 2008, only two years after he equalled the 100m World Record time with 9.77 in 2006. Powell is the man on form this season after staying unbeaten for the last nine races and having recorded 9.82 sec – the quickest time of the year- in Rome last month, which compatriot Usain Bolt equalled in Lausanne on Thursday evening.

MARTYN ROONEY (GBR – 400m)

Britain’s number one arrives at the Aviva British Grand Prix as one of only three Europeans to have run sub-45 secs this season, following a run of 44.99 secs in both Geneva and then Birmingham, two weekends ago. The Croydon athlete will head to Barcelona looking to challenge his personal best of 44.60 and add his first senior individual major championship medal to the silver he won at the Berlin World Championships as part of the 4x400m quartet.

PHILIPS IDOWU (GBR – Triple Jump)

Reigning world champion and Britain’s top male athlete will face the world number two Alexis Copello in a thrilling triple jump contest that boasts one of the strongest line up in the world this year. With a best jump of 17.48m this season, Idowu beat World Indoor Champion and France’s in-form Teddy Tamgho at the SPAR European Team Championships last month, before retaining his national title at the Aviva European Trials and UK Championships.

MO FARAH (GBR – 5000m)

Now four years older and more experienced Farah will be looking to better the silver he won in the 5000m at the last European Championships. This will only be the Londoner’s second 5000m of the season, his first saw him victorious at the SPAR European Team Championships in Bergen last month and that followed a new British record in the road 10km. The Aviva British Grand Prix will see him take on two-time Olympics medallist Eliud Kipchoge.

LISA DOBRISKEY (GBR – 1500m)

The reigning 1500m Commonwealth Champion added a silver World Championship medal to her athletics CV last year in Berlin. Dobriskey’s European campaign received a timely boost at the Samsung Diamond League meeting in Lausanne on Thursday, where she finished fourth in a world class field with 4:01.83, which is the fastest time recorded by a European this season.

JENNY MEADOWS (GBR – 800m)

The winner of the bronze medal at the 2009 Berlin IAAF World Championships and the silver medal at the World Indoor Championships in March, Wigan-born Meadows will try to conquer Gateshead International Stadium after her third place last year. With a best time this season of 1:58.89, Meadows is the second fastest European after Russia’s Mariya Savinova.

JESSICA ENNIS (GBR – 200m and Javelin Throw)

The heptathlon World Champion and pentathlon World Indoor Champion is hoping to add European glory to her ever-increasing honours list. She will be aiming to add to the Personal Bests already set in both the long jump and shot put this outdoor season, as she continues to fine-tune her performance for Barcelona.

VALERIE VILI (NZL – Shot Put)

This is the first time the Kiwi will compete in Gateshead and she arrives with an impressive honours list.  The Commonwealth Champion in 2006 won her first World title in 2007 in Osaka. Since then she claimed the Olympic gold in Beijing and defended her World Champion status in Berlin last year. Vili arrives at the Gateshead International Stadium to face her great rival Nadezhda Ostapchuk, who beat her to the World Indoor title last March.

CARMELITA JETER (USA – 100m)

The American arrived in Gateshead last year with a World Championship bronze medal, but within weeks of the Aviva British Grand Prix which shocked the world, when she ran the second fastest time in history of 10.64 sec in Shanghai. Now bearing the tag of ‘fastest woman alive’ Jeter will be looking to defend her Aviva British Grand Prix title today, and maintain her 2010 winning streak.

Diversity, Britain’s top dance act, will open the Aviva British Grand Prix. The winners of Britain’s Got Talent 2009 will be bringing their own brand of athleticism to the Gateshead International Stadium with an impressive performance which is certain to wow the crowds.

Tickets for the Aviva British Grand Prix at the Gateshead International Stadium, July 10, are available by phone on 08000 556 056 or online at www.uka.org.uk .  Ticket prices are as follows: In tier 2, adults £10, concession £8 and in the Family Zone, £10 for adults and £3 for concessions.