21 September 2007

Welsh Athletics is tracking down its champions from across the generations for a star-studded Centenary dinner. Already, Colin Jackson, Tanni Grey-Thompson and Lynn ‘the Leap’ Davies have all confirmed their attendance.

While the star names are rolling into the Welsh Athletics office, former British team manager and Welsh 400m Champion Mike Delaney is still tracking down former champions:

“We’re pleased to be able to have the addresses of so many former champions, but I hope that any we have missed will contact us. If there any former Welsh senior champions at any of the four athletics disciplines – track & field, road, cross-country or fell – that have not received an invite, they are asked to contact us if they wish to attend.”

While Welsh Athletics celebrates 100 years since the first Welsh Track and Field Championships was held in 1907, the event will also be an opportunity to toast stars of today and of tomorrow.

Welsh Athletics Chief Executive Matt Newman explained, "Welsh Athletics is showcasing its sporting heroes past and present and this is an occasion to inspire the next generation of medal winners. The athletics heritage is being maintained through the Welsh athletes on the World Class programme and the Welsh Talent Development Academy. These athletes have been identified as the potential medallists for London 2012 and beyond.”

Jamie Baulch is also hoping to attend the glittering event, “Wales has a rich history of athletics which is quite remarkable considering we’re such a small nation. The Centenary Dinner is not only a good chance to look back at the many achievements of Welsh athletes but also to look at the current crop of talents and the stars of tomorrow. Welsh Athletics is entering a new era in the run up to London 2012 and I think the new developments augur well for the future.”

Marathon star Steve Jones will be flying in from the States, especially for the event. He and Colin Jackson are the only two Welsh athletes to have set individual world records in the standard Olympic events.

Wales’ oldest surviving Olympic medallist, John Disley and Ron Jones – winner of a record 12 Welsh sprint titles during the 1960s and a member of the British team that set a world record for the 4 x 100 yards in 1963 – are also both looking forward to the Centenary celebration.

Former Cardiff City Managing Director Jones said, “It’s great to be invited to such a gathering, and I look forward to renewing many old acquaintances.”

Welsh Athletics are taking the opportunity to inaugurate The Welsh Athletics Hall of Fame, and a very small number of those athletes deemed to be one of the all-time greats, will be the initial inductees. It is planned to make a Welsh Athletics Hall of Fame dinner an annual occasion and, therefore, further inductees will be admitted in future years.

The event is also looking for a sponsor, so if any firm or business wish to be associated with this very prestigious event, then they should contact the Welsh Athletics office.

The dinner is being held at the Angel Hotel, Cardiff on Sunday 11 November.

Former Welsh Senior Champions who would like to attend are asked to contact the Welsh Athletics office on 0870 1622 530.

For more information, contact Clive Williams on 07974 176229 or Matt Newman on 0870 1622 530 or 07885 620427