Olympic legend Thompson a guest Track Academy’s exciting athletics event
Double Olympic champion Daley Thompson and top British sprinter Nigel Levine will be the guests of honour at a special athletics competition at Track Academy in Willesden on Tuesday.
The Invitational takes place at the Willesden Sports Centre in Donnington Road, between 7pm and 9pm, and will include music from 15-year-old singer-songwriter Jorja Douglas, who won the second series of the CBBC talent show Got What It Takes.
Along with Notting Hill-born decathlon legend Thompson, and European relay champion Levine, more than 400 people are expected at the event, including other athletes fresh from the World Athletics Championships, local dignitaries, representatives from community organisations and Track Academy graduates.
Track Academy founder Connie Henry, herself a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist when she came third in the triple jump in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, said: “This is going to be a really special evening of first-class athletics, which will bring a new and exciting dimension to the traditional competition format.
“The nation has just finished watching the thrilling World Athletics Championships in London, and our Invitational will be the perfect way to keep the momentum going.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Daley and Nigel coming along. They are sure to be a very inspirational presence for our young athletes, and Jorja’s beautiful voice will be the icing on the cake.”
Events will include the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, triple jump, javelin and shot put. The competition is open to all athletes, who can either sign up in advance online or turn up on the day. Cash prizes are on offer for the winners.
Entries cost £4 for athletes from Track Academy or members of the West London Athletics Network, and £6 from other competitors. Certain restrictions apply and full details can be found at www.trackacademy.co.uk. Spectators can attend for free.
The competition is certified by British Athletics, which means times will be recorded and published officially, and is supported by Team Personal Best, an initiative working with partners including BBC Get Inspired to promote grassroots athletics, tying in with the excitement of the World Para Athletics and IAAF World Championships.
Lucy Broad, from Team Personal Best, said: “Hundreds of events are happening around the country to celebrate, including Track Academy’s Invitational. We are delighted to be supporting such a great grassroots athletics event.”
• Track Academy is a registered charity which uses sport for social change among young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Alongside athletics coaching, they attend education sessions to help them gain qualifications, encouraging them to carve out fulfilling lives away from negative influences. For more information, visit www.trackacademy.co.uk or call 07956 715052.
