British athletics legend Mo Farah (coach: Alberto Salazar) will return to the scene of his London 2012 victories to take on many of his main Rio rivals in the IAAF Diamond League 5000m at the Müller Anniversary Games. Farah will face Diamond Race leader Muktar Edris, Thomas Longosiwa, Edwin Soi and Yenew Alamirew.
To add to the memories of that golden day in 2012, Jessica Ennis-Hill (Toni Minichiello) will also compete at the Müller Anniversary Games ‘Super Saturday', which will feature the very best athletes bound for both the Olympics and Paralympics in Rio.
Super Saturday at the Müller Anniversary Games is completed by a full programme of para-athletics with the IPC Grand Prix Final taking place between 12-2pm. As with the IAAF Diamond League events, the world’s best athletes will be there, including GB heroes from 2012 such as Jonnie Peacock (Steve Fudge), David Weir (Jenny Archer) and Hannah Cockroft (Jenni Banks), ensuring that the crowd are treated to what organisers are dubbing ‘Rio in a weekend’.
Staged on 22-23 July 2016, just two weeks before the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in Rio, the Müller Anniversary Games will feature many of the world’s best athletes and is being dubbed by organisers as ‘Rio in a weekend’.
This will be the first time that Farah has raced over 5000m at the Olympic Stadium since he won a memorable gold at the London 2012 Olympics, and Farah believes that the Müller Anniversary Games will be vital to his Olympic defence.
Farah said: “Racing in the Olympic Stadium is always amazing and I can’t wait to get back to London for the Müller Anniversary Games. This will be my final race before the Rio Olympics and I want to give my home fans a day to remember!”
Farah is looking forward to testing himself against the world’s best distance runners, he added: “I always get amazing support in London, and with a really tough race ahead I will need the crowd to make as much noise as they can. There’s so many world class athletes competing this year and I’m sure it’s going to be a fantastic weekend of athletics!”
Andrew Butchart (Derek Easton) has been Britain’s breakthrough endurance performer this year and he will join Farah in the 5000m at the Müller Anniversary Games. The 24 year old broke the Scottish record with a time of 13:13.30 and secured selection for the Rio Olympic Games with victory at the British Championships last weekend.
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Müller Anniversary Games
