Scottishathletics today announced the launch of a brand new international track and field match to take place this summer. Scotland, Wales and Ireland will fight it out for the inaugural Celtic Cup at Grangemouth Stadium, on Thursday 17 August. The meeting will also feature several high-profile guest athletes from overseas. Additionally, a team of talented Scottish youngsters will also get the opportunity to take on the international stars by representing a special Bank of Scotland 2014 Team, representing a unique competition opportunity for the nation’s future Olympic and Commonwealth contenders. The match is being supported by Falkirk Council and will be televised live by BBC Scotland from 7-9pm. Around 15,000 schoolchildren from the surrounding areas have been invited to attend a ScottishPower Come and Try Athletics session on the afternoon of the match and many of them will be invited to stay on and watch the international action later on. 
Double Commonwealth medallist Lee McConnell, who will captain the home nation on what is likely to be her only competitive appearance in Scotland this year, said: “There is always a keen rivalry between the Celtic nations in any sport and we want to try and get one over on them in the athletics arena. "The Celtic Cup promises to be a superb climax to the season, it is always special when you represent Scotland and for me it will be a huge honour to lead the team into action." Scottishathletics Event’s Manager Pierce O’Callaghan and Meet Director said: “We believe there is great potential in international team-based competition for spectators and athletes alike. Scotland, Ireland and Wales are all proud athletics nations and we are confident they will get behind this event and give it the impetus to grow in the coming years “We are planning a number of novel innovations for the inaugural Celtic Cup, including team long and triple jumping, TV access to the warm up track and plans are also at an advanced stage for a world record attempt at the meeting. “We are also in negotiation with some major names from the sport - including Olympic gold medallists - who we expect to secure as guest athletes for what promises to be a superb night of athletics.” Cllr Tom Coleman, Convener of Education and Leisure, Falkirk Council said: “Grangemouth Stadium will provide an excellent location for The Celtic Cup and we are looking forward to welcoming athletes from across the UK and Ireland. “We’re keen to see the sport develop across Scotland and by introducing events such as the Celtic Cup, it provides both an inspiration to younger athletes and offer the more experienced competitors a chance to compete with their peers. “We’re looking forward to working with scottishathletics in hosting other events in the future and helping to further their aims in promoting the sport across Scotland.” David Harron, Editor TV Sport at BBC Scotland said: "We are delighted to be covering the Celtic Cup at Grangemouth, and are confident this will bring high quality athletics action to a Scottish audience, with some world-class performers on show. “Given the success of many Scottish sportsmen and women in Melbourne, and Scotland's bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, this is a great time for us to demonstrate our commitment to Scottish sport with two hours of live television"'. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Chris Broadbent, Media and Communications Officer, scottishathletics Tel: 0870 145 1514 or 0870 145 1500 or 07736 344 744 E-mail: chrisb@scottishathletics.org.uk Website: www.scottishathletics.org.uk (daily news/results/athlete profiles/event information)
Double Commonwealth medallist Lee McConnell, who will captain the home nation on what is likely to be her only competitive appearance in Scotland this year, said: “There is always a keen rivalry between the Celtic nations in any sport and we want to try and get one over on them in the athletics arena. "The Celtic Cup promises to be a superb climax to the season, it is always special when you represent Scotland and for me it will be a huge honour to lead the team into action." Scottishathletics Event’s Manager Pierce O’Callaghan and Meet Director said: “We believe there is great potential in international team-based competition for spectators and athletes alike. Scotland, Ireland and Wales are all proud athletics nations and we are confident they will get behind this event and give it the impetus to grow in the coming years “We are planning a number of novel innovations for the inaugural Celtic Cup, including team long and triple jumping, TV access to the warm up track and plans are also at an advanced stage for a world record attempt at the meeting. “We are also in negotiation with some major names from the sport - including Olympic gold medallists - who we expect to secure as guest athletes for what promises to be a superb night of athletics.” Cllr Tom Coleman, Convener of Education and Leisure, Falkirk Council said: “Grangemouth Stadium will provide an excellent location for The Celtic Cup and we are looking forward to welcoming athletes from across the UK and Ireland. “We’re keen to see the sport develop across Scotland and by introducing events such as the Celtic Cup, it provides both an inspiration to younger athletes and offer the more experienced competitors a chance to compete with their peers. “We’re looking forward to working with scottishathletics in hosting other events in the future and helping to further their aims in promoting the sport across Scotland.” David Harron, Editor TV Sport at BBC Scotland said: "We are delighted to be covering the Celtic Cup at Grangemouth, and are confident this will bring high quality athletics action to a Scottish audience, with some world-class performers on show. “Given the success of many Scottish sportsmen and women in Melbourne, and Scotland's bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, this is a great time for us to demonstrate our commitment to Scottish sport with two hours of live television"'. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Chris Broadbent, Media and Communications Officer, scottishathletics Tel: 0870 145 1514 or 0870 145 1500 or 07736 344 744 E-mail: chrisb@scottishathletics.org.uk Website: www.scottishathletics.org.uk (daily news/results/athlete profiles/event information) 
