Powell and barshim lined up for ait 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 February 18 next.

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.

The event though will spark controversy with the appearance of Powell, who only returned to action earlier this year, after serving a six month ban for taking a banned stimulant. The Jamaican's original 18-month ban was reduced to six months on appeal.

“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.

The 23-year-old has exhibited excellent form this year, concluding his Diamond League campaign for 2014 courtesy of a captivating first time clearance at 2.43m in September to secure the overall IAAF Diamond League title in Brussels with an Asian record, World leading mark and Diamond League record.

Earlier in the year he secured gold at the World Indoor Championships in Sopot with a jump of 2.38m, as well as gold in the Asian Indoor Championships in Hangzhou with 2.36m. Last year, Barshim came second in the World Championships in Moscow with 2.38m, while a bronze in the London Olympics for 2.29m seems a long time ago now.

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.

Powell has enjoyed a glittering career, having held the 100m world record between June 2005 and May 2008, with times of 9.77 and 9.74 seconds respectively.

The 32-year-old has consistently broken the 10-second barrier in competition, with his personal best of 9.72 being the fifth fastest time in the history of the event. Personal honours were enriched by an Olympic gold medal as part of the Jamaican 4x100m relay team in 2008, as well as relay gold at the 2009 World Championships.

However, he was suspended by a Jamaica anti-doping disciplinary panel after testing positive for the banned stimulant oxilofrine at their national championships in the summer of 2013.

An initial 18-month ban was reduced to six months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), after an appeal was partially upheld.

A CAS statement said: “They put forward that the offence committed was minor because it was caused by contamination of the food supplement Epiphany D1 by the banned substance oxilofrine and requested that the suspensions be reduced to three months.”

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.

Tickets for the 2015 AIT International Arena Grand Prix go on sale from Tuesday 9 December, priced at €20 for seated ticket and €10 for standing (excluding handling charges). Tickets are available from www.aitsport.ie.