World Class Athletics Returning to Athlone for the AIT International Grand Prix 2017
Top Class international athletics returns to Athlone Institute of Technology again this coming February. The 2017 AIT International Grand Prix is guaranteed to be a sell out for the fourth year in a row as athletics fans across the country avail of the opportunity to witness some of the world’s best talent on show in the midlands arena.
In the past this event has been blessed to have European, World & Olympic Champions, some of whom have broken meet, all-comers and continental records. Indeed in 2015 Mutaz Essa Barshim, in a scintillating performance, had three attempts at the World Indoor High Jump Record. Sub 4 minute miles have become de rigueur in the men’s mile while four of the women’s 1500m field ran the World Indoor qualifying standard in 2016. World Champions Shawn Barber (Pole Vault) and Pavel Maslak (400m) both competed to amazing levels in 2016 alongside World 800m Silver medallist Melissa Bishop.
As the fields for the 2017 event are currently being finalised we can guarantee another amazing night of indoor athletics with some of the sport’s biggest international and domestic names converging on Athlone. Definitely confirmed are Sally Pearson who hold Olympic and World Championship gold medals in the 100m Hurdles and the above mentioned Mutaz Essa Barshim. Two of Irelands biggest talents in the shape of Ciara Mageen and Mark English are also on the start list. English is currently preparing for an attempt at the world 600m record at the Grand Prix and hopes are high that another high calibre athlete will be added to make an attempt at one other world record.
AIT president, Prof Ciarán Ó Catháin, said: “We have a really top field of athletes lined up again for the grand prix in February. The fields will be filled with an even deeper level of talent than we have ever had before and that is saying quite something. We are very excited about the event as are many Athletics fans in Ireland. Ticket prices are very competitive again this year. There are not many events in the world where you will witness such top class sportspeople at such prices”.
Assistant Meet Director Gordon Brett believes that, “the event can break into the top 10 indoor athletics meets in the world this year. We achieved an amazing ranking of 14th in the world in 2016 from a list of 600 similar events”.
The recent Olympic Games were good to athletes who have appeared at the Grand Prix in past years. Competition Director Paul McNamara has identified nine athletes who won medals in Rio.
The list is very impressive:
Asafa Powell (Jamaica) 4 x100m Gold
Chris Brown (Bahamas) 4 x 400m Bronze
Mutaz Essa Barshim (Qatar) High Jump Silver
Sam Kendricks (USA) Pole Vault Bronze
Ashton Eaton (USA) Decathlon Gold and Olympic Record
Kristi Castlin (USA) 100m Hurdles Bronze
Tianna Bartoletta (USA) 4 x 100m Gold & Long Jump Gold
Brianne Theisen-Eaton (Canada) Heptathlon Bronze
Details of the International Grand Prix
Event Date: Wednesday the 15th of February 2017
Doors Open: 6pm Event Start: 6.30pm
Ticket Prices: Early Bird Ticket Price: Seated €20 only available until the 10th January 2017
Tickets Online: www.aitsport.ie
Normal Prices: Seated €25, Standing €10