16 August 2012

UK Athletics today announced that the Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix on Sunday 26 August is a sell out, with a 12,800 capacity crowd watching world-class athletics at the Birmingham Alexander Stadium for the second year in a row.

Double gold medallist Mo Farah (coach: Alberto Salazar), the first British man to win gold in both the 5,000m and 10,000m at an Olympic Games, will headline a long list of world-class athletes in Britain’s final Samsung Diamond League event of the year.

Fellow British Olympic champion, Greg Rutherford (Dan Pfaff), will face Australia’s London 2012 runner-up Mitchell Watt as well as Olympic triple jump champion Christian Taylor in the long jump, with co-British record holder Chris Tomlinson (Frank Attoh).

Christine Ohuruogu (Lloyd Cowan), who added an Olympic silver medal to the gold she won in Beijing four years ago, has confirmed that she will run 400m and take on American Olympic bronze medallist DeeDee Trotter, as well as fellow Olympic finalists Francena McCorory of the USA and Jamaica’s Rosemarie Whyte.

British high jump Olympic bronze medallist Robbie Grabarz (Fuzz Ahmed) will be in action, taking on Olympic gold medallist Ivan Ukhov, 2008 gold medallist Andrey Silnov and World Champion Jesse Williams in a world-class line-up.

Ian Stewart, Meet Director for the Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix, is pleased at the continued popularity of the event and the calibre of athletes competing, following the meet’s debut in Birmingham last year.

“Mo Farah’s achievements at the Olympic Games were remarkable and very emotional for all of us that were involved in his preparation. I couldn’t be more proud of him and the rest of the team for their performances over the Games and we’re delighted to have him headlining a spectacular homecoming for our Olympic heroes.

“It’s been an incredible Games with some brilliant performances on the track and in the field, especially from Jess Ennis, Greg Rutherford, Christine Ohuruogu and Robbie Grabarz. With such a great buzz around the sport at the moment, the Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix is a great way to round off the British athletics season in style.

“We’re delighted that the event is sold out for the second year in a row and the atmosphere is going to unbelievable. For anyone who missed out on tickets, keep an eye on our Twitter account (@uka_athletics) for announcements in case any tickets become available.”

Back the team and watch the world’s best athletes in action at the Aviva Birmingham Grand Prix at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium on 26 August. Live coverage on BBC2 from 1.30-5pm.