The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has underlined his commitment to hosting world class sporting events in the capital by extending his support of the Norwich Union LONDON Grand Prix.

The Mayor has extended his association with the meeting – one of the highlights of the international athletics season – for another year after the sell-out success of last year’s event.

David Moorcroft, Chief Executive of the sport’s governing body UK Athletics, is delighted with the Mayor’s continued backing: ‘The Norwich Union LONDON Grand Prix is consistently ranked as one of the most successful meetings anywhere in the world and it is wonderful to again have the support of the Mayor. With this year’s event being held on Friday 30th July – just a matter of weeks before the start of the Olympics in Athens – we are looking forward to a marvelous night of athletics as our leading British and world stars finalise gear up for the Games.

‘For these events to work requires the support of a number of parties, and that includes the backing of the city itself. It is therefore a real boost that we once again have the Mayor on board’.

The Norwich Union LONDON Grand Prix is the showpiece event in UK Athletics’ domestic season of live televised events and is being viewed by many athletes as the opportunity to finalise their preparations for the Olympic Games.

In 2003, all 18,500 tickets for the Friday evening meeting were sold out four weeks in advance, forcing organisers to construct an additional temporary stand.

Athletes competing last year included Jonathan Edwards, Haile Gebrselassie, Tim Montgomery, Kelly Holmes and Kim Collins while some of the other biggest names in the sport, such as Paula Radcliffe, Marion Jones and Kenenisa
Bekele will be certain to gain invitations to compete this year.

Sport England is funding the refurbishment of the track to bring it up to the required standard so the Grand Prix can take place.

Tickets for the 2004 Norwich Union LONDON Grand Prix, taking place on Friday 30th July are on sale from tomorrow at 9.00am by phoning 0870 402 8000 or online at www.ukathletics.net

For further information contact the Fast Track media team on 020 7932 1700