BT announced as new title sponsor of the Great CityGames Manchester

DC13-069 11th March 2013

BT announced as new title sponsor of the Great CityGames Manchester Olympic and Paralympic champions will compete in the city centre on Saturday 25th May

BT demonstrated its commitment to building on the momentum of London 2012 as it was announced as the new title sponsor of the BT Great CityGames Manchester today. The event, now in its fifth year, will be held on Saturday 25th May and will see major Olympic and Paralympic champions competing in the city centre. The unique format allows spectators to experience all the action for free and this year Paralympic champions will compete for the first time.

Olympic gold medallists Greg Rutherford (Great Britain) and Felix Sanchez (Dominican Republic), Paralympic gold medallist Alan Oliveira (Brazil) and silver medallist Stefanie Reid (Great Britain) have confirmed their attendance, with other athletes to be announced in the coming weeks.

A crowd of 20,000 people is expected to gather on Deansgate in Manchester to see some of the world's greatest athletes compete on a purpose built, IAAF certified track. British Olympic champion Greg Rutherford, and Paralympic silver medallist Stefanie Reid, will both compete in a newly-created long jump arena outside Manchester Town Hall. For many, this will be their first opportunity to see medal winners in action since London 2012.

Suzi Williams, BT group marketing and brand director, said, We're excited to be supporting the BT Great CityGames Manchester this May. Following the success of London 2012 it's a fantastic opportunity for people to get up close and personal to the world's Olympic and Paralympic champions. We're especially pleased that this year's event will showcase elite disability sport, building on BT's role at the heart of the Paralympic Games and our four year involvement in the BT Paralympic World Cup.

Brendan Foster, chairman of Nova International, said, The transformational time that Britain went through last year with the unrivalled success of the Paralympics means that these athletes will be some of the biggest stars on the track at the BT Great CityGames Manchester. BT's involvement with the event shows their commitment to build momentum and to create fun, free and accessible opportunities for the British public to cheer on our athletes.

Olympic Champion Greg Rutherford said, The support for British athletes from the public was wonderful at the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, and I'm sure Manchester will give us an incredible reception. I'm delighted to see the Paralympians being invited for the first time and it shows the remarkable strides that the movement has made. At the end of the day, we are all simply athletes.

200m Paralympic gold medallist Alan Oliveira said, I am very proud to be returning to the UK. London 2012 was the greatest ever Paralympic Games and the BT Great CityGames Manchester will give me another chance to perform at the highest level. I'm thrilled to have been invited to compete.

The event is completely free to spectate and no tickets are required, for further information see www.greatcitygames.org

-Ends-

Notes to editors:

Taking place at a purpose built athletics arena in Manchester's Deansgate and Albert Square, this event is a unique opportunity to see top athletes compete in the heart of the city centre - and best of all and it's completely free to spectate.

Part of a Great weekend of sport in Manchester including; the Bupa Great Manchester Run and the Bupa Mini and Junior Great Manchester Run.

Nova International

The BT Great CityGames Manchester is brought to you by a partnership between Manchester City Council and event organisers Nova International and is sponsored by BT.

About BT and sport

BT was the official communications services partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. BT has been a long-term supporter - the company backed London's initial bid in 2004, while its support for the British Paralympic Association (BPA) dates back to 1989 when BT became the BPA's first commercial partner. BT has committed to support the British Paralympic team until 2016.

BT recently announced it had become the first-ever headline partner of the sport industry's flagship event the BT Sport Industry Awards.

BT Sport's new channels will launch later this year. BT has already secured some significant content deals including Premier League football, domestic and European rugby and women's tennis. The channels will be based at the iCITY development at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford.

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