This weekend (22-23 June) four major sporting events will get underway across the country as part of UK Sport’s Gold Event Series, attracting over 40,000 spectators between them.
The European Athletics Team Championships, World Rowing Cup, Canoe Slalom World Cup and Investec Hockey World League Semi-Final will take place in Gateshead, Eton Dorney, Cardiff and London respectively, all supported with investment from the £27 million National Lottery funded events programme.
Around 10,000 tickets have been sold in advance for the World Rowing Cup (21-23 June), with further ‘walk up’ tickets available throughout the weekend, and spectators will see many of the stars of London 2012 return to the Olympic and Paralympic venue, Eton Dorney.
Men’s four gold medallist Pete Reed will be one of those in action.
He said: “The World Cup at Eton Dorney will rekindle the Olympic fire we all felt there last summer. The venue is stunning, great for our sport and should continue to inspire our talent of tomorrow.”
In Gateshead (22-23 June), the 20,000 strong crowd can look forward to seeing three Olympic medallists line up in the GB & NI team in the shape of double Olympic champion Mo Farah, Greg Rutherford and Christine Ohuruogu.
The Canoe Slalom World Cup (21-23 June) will be returning to Cardiff for the second year running and Olympic silver medallist David Florence is hoping for the same enthusiastic support from the Welsh crowd.
He said: “The cheering and support at Cardiff last year was fantastic.
“The athletes racing in Cardiff this week will be the same calibre of athletes who were competing at the Games last year, so hopefully people will come down and watch us.”
In London, host city of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, eight of the best women’s teams in the world will be on show in the Investec Hockey World League Semi-final (22-30 June), with the event set to attract 10,000 spectators to the capital over the course of the week.
UK Sport Director of Major Events and International Relations Simon Morton said: “We launched the Gold Event Series at the end of last year, to build on the events hosting legacy of London 2012.
“It is fantastic that almost one year on from the Games there is still such an appetite from the British public to experience live sport, demonstrated by the strong ticket sales we are continuing to see. As well as providing that opportunity for spectators, these events give our athletes the chance to compete with the tremendous support of the British home crowd, as well as giving towns and cities across the UK an economic boost.
“We have now secured 23 events post-London 2012 and are committed to carrying this momentum forward over the next six years, targeting over 70 of the world’s most prestigious events for the UK.”
TV Schedule for Gold Event Series this week
Saturday 22 June
European Athletics Team Championships on BBC One from 14.00
Sunday 23 June
World Rowing Cup on BBC Two from 11.30-13.30
European Athletics Team Championships on BBC Two from 14.30
Investec Hockey World League Semi-Final on Sky Sports Four from 17.00
Monday 24 June
Investec Hockey World League Semi-Final on Sky Sports Two from 12.00
Investec Hockey World League Semi-Final on Sky Sports Three from 19.00
Tuesday 25 June
Investec Hockey World League Semi-Final on Sky Sports Three from 08.00
Coverage of the Hockey continues on Sky Sports until Sunday 30 June
Gold Event Series Forthcoming Events
World Youth Netball Championships in Glasgow (22-31 August)
World Triathlon Grand Final in London (11-15 September)
Rugby League World Cup in England & Wales (26 October-30 November)
PSA Men’s Squash World Championships in Manchester (26 October-30 November)
UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Manchester (1-3 November)
FIG World Cup - All Round Glasgow (7 December)