Former Scottish athletics star Lee McConnell and world indoor 4x400m silver medallist Jamie Bowie will fly the flag for Scotland at the Emirates Arena, ahead of the Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match which takes place at the venue on 24th January.
A home team from Scotland will compete against Great Britain & Northern Ireland, France and Germany at the first elite track meet of the 2015 British indoor athletics season.
McConnell said, “The Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match will be a really exciting meet, with Scottish and British teams competing on the track for the first time in 2015.
“As a Scottish athlete I was proud to see the enthusiasm of the crowds at the Commonwealth Games last summer, and this is another fantastic opportunity for people to come and watch top international athletes competing in Scotland.
“I always really enjoyed racing indoors in Glasgow, in front of the Scottish crowd, and I want to encourage everyone to come to the Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match for a great day of athletics on the 24th January.”
Bowie is one of nine of the Scottish team from last summer’s Glasgow 2014 Games, who will line up for Scotland at the Glasgow meet in just under two weeks’ time.
Bowie said, “I’m really excited to be competing for Scotland at the Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match. I have brilliant memories of the home support at the Commonwealth Games last summer, so to race again for my country in Glasgow will be a really special way to kick off 2015.
“I’m sure all the athletes will be looking for a strong start to the indoor season, so it should be a great competition to watch. Last year the crowd at the Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match were fantastic, it was a real eye opener to the support that was waiting for us at Glasgow 2014.”
The 2014 Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match saw fantastic displays from the Scottish contingent with Guy Learmonth, Laura Muir, Chris O’Hare and Libby Clegg all recording victories to the delight of the home crowd.
British Athletics’ Major Event Director Cherry Alexandersaid, “The Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match has a long history of bringing top-class athletics to the city, and I’m sure it will be a great start to the indoor season. Glasgow did a fantastic job of hostng the 2014 Commonwealth Games and it’s great for top class athletics to be returning to the city.
“British athletes had an excellent 2014 at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships, and I hope they can continue to build on this success throughout 2015.”
Councillor Archie Graham, Chair of Glasgow Life said: “2015 is set to be Glasgow’s Year of Sport and the Sainsbury’s International Glasgow Match will get the action underway in the best possible way. Glasgow will once again enjoy world class competition from an international field of athletes and a team of home favourites for what will be an unforgettable occasion at the Emirates Arena. There is no doubt that staging major international events such as these will maintain the amazing momentum generated during the best ever Commonwealth Games and make sure that Glasgow continues to be recognised as one of the world’s top 10 sporting cities.”
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