World champion Jake Wightman (coach: Geoff Wightman, club: Edinburgh) [1500m] and double 2022 European champion, Matthew Hudson-Smith (Gary Evans, Birchfield Harriers) [400m] will compete at the London Stadium on Sunday 23 July 2023.
Wightman will be targeting a strong performance in London ahead of his title defence at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest this summer when he takes on the 1500m in the capital.
The Edinburgh AC athlete captured world gold in Oregon last year, and after missing the indoor season due to injury, he will be back with a bang at the biggest one-day athletics spectacular of the year on the 23 July.
Wightman, who first competed at the event ten years ago when he finished 17th in the Mile, said, “I am delighted to be back competing in London at this prestigious event. It is one of the best fixtures in the calendar, so all athletes will be excited to be back competing in the London Stadium for the first time since 2019.
“I have competed in the Stadium a few times over the last ten years, so I know what a special atmosphere the home crowd can create, and how that can lift all the athletes on the day.
“It will be a day of world-class athletics, so make sure you don’t miss it and come and cheer us on. Your support makes a huge difference to all the athletes, so we look forward to seeing you there on the 23 July.”
As for Hudson-Smith, 2022 was a superb season for the 28-year-old as he won medals at the World and European Championships and the Commonwealth Games, as well as breaking the long-standing British 400m record, lowering the time to 44.35.
His bronze medal at the Worlds in Oregon kick-started a summer which saw the medals flow for the Birchfield Harrier, winning silver at the Commonwealth Games for England, and then heading to Munich where he won gold in the 400m and as part of the 4x400m relay squad.
On competing in London, Hudson-Smith said, “2022 was a brilliant year for me on the track, and I am very excited to see what I can achieve during the 2023 season. I am really looking forward to competing in front of the British fans again, and to be back racing in the London Stadium.
“I know all the athletes in the race will want to put on a great show for all the fans. The event is so strong at the moment, with some great athletes from around the world all pushing each other, so it will definitely be one to watch on Sunday 23 July.”
Get your tickets to see two of the leading names in British athletics compete at the London Stadium on Sunday 23 July.
https://www.britishathletics.org.uk/news-and-features/british-gold-medal-winning-duo-set-for-london-athletics-meet/
