St Mary’s Hosts Training Camps ahead of London 2017

The Sir Mo Farah Athletics Track at St Mary’s University, Twickenham was host to athletes from 14 nations in the build up to the London 2017 World Athletics Championships.

St Mary’s hosted team camps for the Japanese Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF) and the Chinese Athletics Association (CAA), in addition to hosting athletes from the United Kingdom, USA, Kenya, Botswana, New Zealand, and Canada, amongst others.

St Mary’s provided training facilities, accommodation and catering to 26 JAAF athletes who are competing in a range of endurance running, race walking and jumping events. Amongst the athletes based at St Mary’s was Rio 2016 Olympian Hirooki Arai, who won a Bronze medal in the 50km race walking.

From the CAA St Mary’s provided training facilities to the team of 70 athletes and coaches, who stayed at the nearby Lensbury Hotel.

St Mary’s also welcomed athletes from the Oregon Track Club and the Bowerman Track Club, including London 2012 Silver medallist Nijel Amos, who is widely tipped to be in medal contention in the Men’s 800m.

Speaking of the training camps, Director of Sport Andrew Reid-Smith said, “It’s wonderful to see so many international athletes from around the world using our facilities, particularly the Sir Mo Farah Athletics Track. The combination of the EPACC endurance programme and facilities means that St Mary’s provides one of the best environments for athletics. All the athletes have been working hard and we wish them every success.”

Named in honour of St Mary’s most famous Alumnus Sir Mo Farah, the athletics track provides world-class facilities. Athletes are able to train for all running events, including Steeplechase, on the track used by Sir Mo Farah for ten years, in addition to have facilities for all jumping and throwing events.

The University has a proud history of hosting sports teams ahead of major championships. Ahead of London 2012, the Chinese team joined nine other nations at St Mary’s in their preparations for the Olympic Games, including Ireland and Australia, amongst others.

During Rugby World Cup 2015, the University was a joint Team Base with the Lensbury for champions New Zealand. The University also hosted Finalists Australia, and semi-finalists South Africa.