Indoor athletics streamed live this weekend

12 reigning champions will compete in front of a record crowd at the Sainsbury’s British Athletics Indoor Championships in Sheffield over the next two days and the action can also be viewed on line.

Over 400 athletes from all over the UK will be competing to be named British Champion and join a long line of athletics legends.

The live stream, which was viewed by over 100,000 people in 2013, will showcase some of the biggest British names including second fastest Brit ever over 100m James Dasaolu; Olympic high jump bronze medallist, Robbie Grabarz; World 100m hurdles bronze medallist Tiffany Porter; and Olympic pole vault finalist and British record holder Holly Bleasdale.

Dasaolu said: “2013 was a memorable year for me and my victory at the Sainsbury’s British Athletics Indoor Championships gave my season a perfect platform in which to build from. Winning my first British indoor title is one I’ll never forget and I will be doing all I can to put my name on that trophy once again at the Sainsbury’s British Athletics Indoor Championships.

 “The competition within this event is really strong and I know that it’s going to take something special to cross the finish line first. However, I’ve had a good spell of training in South Africa and a strong start to the season at the Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match, which will set me up well for a big performance this weekend.”

 After producing a world-leading 2:00.94 over 800m at the Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match, Laura Muir (handicap MINUS 1.6), who won the British Indoor 1500m title last year will be keen to prove her world-class pedigree once again this weekend.

One of the most prolific winners at the Sainsbury’s British Indoor Championships, Chris Tomlinson, will be chasing his first victory since 2009. The 32 year old will be looking to win his seventh title and will be severely tested by JJ Jegede, who got the better of the Olympic finalist at the Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match last month.  

Mo Farah’s (handicap MINUS 6.3) 1500m and 3000m stadium records could also tumble at the weekend, with world 1500m finalist Chris O’Hare (handicap MINUS 5.1) and European Cross Country bronze medallist Andy Vernon (handicap MINUS 5.9) both starting 2014 with promise. 

 British Athletics’ Performance Director Neil Black said: “The Sainsbury’s British Athletics Indoor Championships is a crucial part of any athlete’s development and claiming a British Championship title is important if they are to truly challenge on the world stage.

“The event enables the new generation to compare themselves against their national rivals, or even in some events – the best in the world, which is why it is important  that we preserve the prestige of being a British Champion even if it does result in a ticket to Poland in a few weeks.”

Councillor Isobel Bowler, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure at Sheffield City Council, added: “We are delighted to welcome the Sainsbury's British Athletics Indoor Championships back to Sheffield - a city which is known as a City of Sport and for having a wealth of talented sportsmen and women.

 “It will be an exciting competition as our best athletes compete in the country’s biggest domestic competition for the British champion crown, which is a huge honour in the world of athletics.

“Athletes will also be able to compete for team places for the World Indoor Championships in Poland later this year and we wish everyone taking part the best of luck.”

British Athletics have also confirmed that European U23 100m champion Adam Gemili will be swapping his spikes for a microphone on Sunday 9 February when he becomes a sports reporter for the day, conducting post-race interviews for BritishAthleticsTV. 

The Blackheath & Bromley Harrier said:

“I’m really looking forward to taking on a reporter role at the Sainsbury’s British Athletics Indoor Championships. It’ll be fun to be on the other side of the fence, interviewing athletes rather than being interviewed – I think I’ll find it pretty tough at first but I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

Live streaming of the Sainsbury’s British Athletics Indoor Championships and Adam Gemili’s post-race interviews will be available via www.youtube.com/britishathleticsTV, from 15:30 – 19:00on Saturday 8 February and 12:00 – 16:30on Sunday 9 February.

Join in the Sainsbury’s British Athletics Indoor Championships conversation by tweeting @BritAthletics using the hashtag #IndoorChamps