Former athletics stars, including Christine Ohuruogu, Wendy Sly and Mark Lewis-Francis, to race in mixed relay at Müller Anniversary Games
More than 20 of Britain’s biggest athletics stars of the past are coming out of retirement to compete in a Legends Relay event at the Müller Anniversary Games in the London Stadium this weekend.
The 4x100m Legends Relay will see eight mixed teams of four people race against each other as part of the pre-show at the IAAF Diamond League meeting on Sunday July 21.
The line-up will feature medal-winning athletes from four decades, including 1984 Olympic 3000m silver medallist and AW MD Wendy Sly, 1984 Olympic javelin champion Tessa Sanderson, 1984 Olympic sprint relay bronze medallist Simmone Jacobs, 1992 Olympic 4x400m bronze medallist Jennifer Stoute, 2004 Olympic sprint relay gold medallist Mark Lewis-Francis, 2004 Paralympic champion Danny Crates, 2008 Olympic and former double world 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu, 2008 Olympic javelin bronze medallist Goldie Sayers and 2010 European and Commonwealth 110m hurdles champion Andy Turner.
Among the celebrities competing are former model and running enthusiast Nell McAndrew, broadcaster Charlie Webster and TV presenter Martin Lewis.
“I’m so excited and a little bit nervous at the prospect of coming out of retirement to race again on my home track in the London Stadium in the Legends Relay at the Müller Anniversary Games,” said Ohuruogu (pictured). “The line-up of former athletes is amazing and it’s going to be a real celebration of Britain’s athletics history.
“The sprinters, and dare I say younger participants, may think they’ll have an advantage, but I’m sure the competitive spirit that drove all these athletes to national and international medal success will kick in. It’s going to be an entertaining and unpredictable race, that I’m sure everyone will remember and enjoy.”
The Legends Relay forms part of a four-day Festival of Athletics at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which runs from July 18-21.
Major events director for British Athletics, Cherry Alexander, said: “The Legends Relay, at the Müller Anniversary Games, is a chance to revisit Britain’s athletics heritage and celebrate some of the great athletes this country has produced, in a fun and exciting way.
“I’m delighted that so many of our past stars are dusting off their spikes to take part in our Festival of Athletics and the Müller Anniversary Games. I’m sure there will be a bit of friendly rivalry when the athletes line up on the track in the London Stadium, and it’s going to be an unmissable event with undoubtedly some surprises.”
Full current line up of athletes
Jacqui Agyepong – 100m hurdles
Abdul Bahari – Discus
Danny Crates – 800m
Stephanie Douglas – 100m
Julian Golding – 200m
Dalton Grant – High jump
Wilbert Greaves – 110m hurdles
Simmone Jacobs – 100m
Jo Jennings – High jump
Mark Lewis-Francis – 100m
Lee McConnell – 400m
Christine Ohuruogu – 400m
Brendan Reilly – High jump
Tessa Sanderson – Javelin
Goldie Sayers – Javelin
Wendy Sly – 3000m
Jennifer Stoute – 400m
Kelly Massey – 400m
Joslyn Hoyte-Smith – 200m
Montell Douglas – 100m
Mark Hylton – 400m
Martyn Bernard – High jump
Andy Turner – 110m hurdles
Conrad Williams – 400m
Tickets for the Müller Anniversary Games are on sale at theticketfactory.com/british-athletics