Barshim & Powell To Headline AIT International Arena Grand Prix

Mutaz Essa Barshim, the Qatari world indoor high jump champion, and Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell, the former 100 metres world record holder, are the headline athletes competing at the AIT International Arena Grand Prix on 18 February 2015.

Tickets

Tickets for the 2015 AIT International Arena Grand Prix are on sale NOW, priced at €20 for seated ticket and €10 for standing (excluding handling charges). Tickets are available from www.aitsport.ie.

2nd Annual Grand Prix

The second annual grand prix to be held in the Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) venue promises to build on the sold-out success of the 2014 meet, which starred Ashton Eaton, the Olympic decathlon champion and world record holder.

“I’m very excited to come to Ireland for the first time, and to compete at what I have been told is an amazing facility,” said Barshim. “Right now things are going very well for me in the sport and I am enjoying myself. I look forward to continuing my progress this indoor season and having a lot of fun in the process. I will only do four competitions this indoor season and I am thrilled that Ireland will be one of those stops,” he stated.

Fellow headliner, Asafa Powell, says that he is “really looking forward to this event. I know it will be special.” The AIT International Arena Grand Prix represents the first time that the Jamaican will compete in Ireland. “I am looking forward to getting in a few competitions this indoor season. I have only run a few indoor races in my career and I never really prepared properly for those. This year I plan to do a little more specific preparation for these indoor races and really explore what is possible for me. I have always been a great starter, so it should only make sense that I am capable of some really fast times in the 60m,” he commented.

A Night To Remember

AIT president, Prof Ciarán Ó Catháin, promises “a night to remember” at the midlands venue. “The 2014 grand prix really captured the popular imagination, with a packed arena, fantastic atmosphere and tremendous performances from the athletes. We are confident that 2015 will be even better again. We’re getting a fantastic response from the Irish and international athletes we’re talking to, so watch this space for further big names competing in Athlone next February,” he continued.