News
Launch of the 2012 Great North CityGames
Tuesday August 28, 2012
Team GB Olympic gold medallist, long jumper Greg Rutherford, visited the North East today to officially launch the 2012 Great North CityGames. Greg will be joined by his GB&NI team mates on Saturday the 15th September on the NewcastleGateshead Quayside, where they will be taking on their Team USA rivals at the exciting outdoor athletics competition.
Greg met a number of promising young athletes from Blaydon and Gateshead Harriers athletics clubs on a pop-up track in Eldon Square Shopping Centre. The Olympian gave the youngsters some training advice, and tips for taking their sporting careers to the next level.
Greg said, “It’s great to meet the next generation of athletes and hear how much they’ve been inspired by our success in London.
“I’m really looking forward to taking part in the Great North CityGames in September, people are so enthusiastic about sport right now and we have to keep the momentum going.
“The format of this competition is so unique, it attracts a different audience and it’s great as an athlete to be able perform so close to a big crowd, hopefully we can give them a good show. I think for a lot of people taking part it will be their last competition of the season - the perfect end to an extremely exciting summer.”
Now entering its fifth year, the Great North CityGames have become an established highlight in an action packed sporting weekend for the region. Held the day before the Bupa Great North Run, the event is once again set to bring world class competition to the NewcastleGateshead Quayside.
The unique, purpose built athletics arena allows spectators to get up close to the action. No tickets are required for the event, which is completely free to spectate.
Great North CityGames elite athlete manager, Andy Caine said, “If you didn’t get the chance to go down to London, it’s a great opportunity to bring the whole family along and help our Team GB stars celebrate their success.
“We’re so excited to have Greg lining up with his GB team mates once again, and with double Olympic champion Mo Farah confirmed to run in the Bupa Great North Run the following day it’s shaping up to be a Golden weekend on Tyneside!”
The Great North CityGames is part of a weekend celebration of sport, which includes, the brand new Bupa Great North 5k, the Bupa Junior and Mini Great North Run, the Bupa Great North Run Pasta Party and the main event – the 32nd staging of Britain’s biggest running event, the Bupa Great North Run. The weekend will see over 60,000 participants and many thousands of spectators taking part.
Gateshead Council’s cabinet member for culture, Peter Mole said, “This has been a great summer for sport both in the UK and the region. The Great North CityGames symbolises everything that Gateshead stands for, demonstrating our ability to attract top class sporting events and athletes.
“We would encourage all of those who have been thrilled and excited by the success of London 2012 to come along and get up close to the action at this major sporting event.”
Phil Steele, Centre Manger of Eldon Square, commented:
“We’re delighted to be able to host the launch of the Great North CityGames in Eldon Square, I know that our shoppers will be thrilled to see an Olympic Gold medallist in the centre. We’ve enjoyed a truly wonderful summer for sport in the UK, and continue to do so here in the North East, with the CityGames continuing to inspire young hopefuls now and in the future."
The Great North CityGames will be shown live on BBC One from 13:00-14:30 on Saturday 15th September, for more information and up to the minute athlete announcements, please visit www.greatcitygames.org.