BBC Worldwide and UK Athletics have agreed a new deal, giving BBC Worldwide exclusive international TV distribution rights to the UK’s top track and field athletics events.

The agreement with Fast Track, UK Athletics’ commercial agency, marks BBC Worldwide’s first foray into track and field athletics.

The portfolio of events* includes the prestigious Norwich Union London Grand Prix from Crystal Palace, as well as the Grand Prix event at Gateshead. In total, BBC Worldwide will be offering seven events on an annual basis from the international athletics calendar, starting with the Norwich Union International Indoor Match in Glasgow, on Saturday, 24th January. This meeting sees Russia, Italy, Sweden and a World Select team take on a team from Great Britain.

BBC Worldwide’s Sport Sales Manager, Richard Hornsby-Smith, commented, ‘We are looking forward to working closely with UK Athletics in marketing their events to new audiences around the globe. In doing so, we expect to replicate the success we have enjoyed in distributing other athletics events such as cross-country, and of course, the Flora London Marathon.’

Jon Ridgeon, Director of Athletics at Fast Track added, ‘This initiative will give the sport of athletics in the UK even broader global exposure for the major domestic events. Our relationship with the BBC is expanding all the time and we are excited by the possibilities that this brings.’

For further information please contact:

Mary Collins, BBC Worldwide Communications, on +44 208 433 2412, mobile: +44 7769 670516 or at mary.collins@bbc.co.uk