Mara Yamauchi at the Team Personal Best event in London (© LOC)
With little more than 50 days to go before the IAAF World Championships London 2017, official inspiration programme Team Personal Best is in full swing and growing with more than 100 events signed up.
The World Para Athletics Championships (14-23 July) and IAAF World Championships London 2017 (4-13 August) will be held in the British capital this summer. It is the first time ever that both championships are being held in the same city in the same summer and the inspiration programme and Team Personal Best have been created to inspire anyone and everyone to get involved in grassroots athletics.
Having already held a host of inspiring events, any athletics or running-themed activity can get involved between now and the end of September.
Events that have taken place already include disability festivals at the Copper Box at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to taster sessions at clubs around the country. There was even a running takeover from two-time British Olympian Mara Yamauchi as she joined local community groups in East London and shared advice and tips.
“On a beautiful sunny summer’s evening, Team Personal Best delivered a terrific evening of training and swapping stories about being inspired,” said Yamauchi. “My athletics career started from being inspired by the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games. If a London 2017 Team Personal Best event can inspire a child, young person or adult to become to an athlete, coach or get involved in athletics in some form, that’s fantastic for the future of our sport.”
Anyone who submits an event at www.TeamPersonalBest.org/submit between now and Friday 30 June will be in with a chance of winning a special visit from 2009 world 800m bronze medallist Jenny Meadows.
“Athletics has been a part of my life for more than two decades and this summer is the chance to celebrate everything great about the sport,” said Meadows. “Whether you are a novice or an expert, Team Personal Best is a fantastic programme encouraging people from all walks of life to play a part, no matter how big or small. I look forward to heading along to an event this summer.”
“From a record number of volunteer applications and ticket sales to an unprecedented number of schoolchildren attending the championships, it is clear to see that people are passionate about supporting athletics,” added London 2017 Ltd managing director Cherry Alexander. “Team Personal Best has got off to a great start and it is exciting to see our sport harness the interest in the summer of world athletics to better support grassroots athletics.”
LOC for the IAAF
