• Athletics

Bolt confirms London return

Usain Bolt will be back to compete in London © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Ennis confirms Olympic Stadium return
  
• News: Bolt lined up for London return
  
• Profile: Usain Bolt

Usain Bolt has confirmed that he will return to the Olympic Stadium in London in July.

Bolt, who won three gold medals at last year's Olympic Games in the capital, has confirmed he will compete in the 100m and 4x100m at the Diamond League meeting, in an event being billed as the London Anniversary Games.

It is the first time since 2009 that the Jamaican has competed in London's Diamond League event.

"I'm looking forward to coming back to the UK, especially with it being a year since winning three gold medals in the Olympic Stadium," Bolt said in a statement. "The crowd were amazing at the Games, and I hope they will be out again in their numbers at the end of July.

"I haven't competed at the London Diamond League since 2009 but it has always been a great meet with lots of Jamaican support - it almost feels like running at home."

Bolt headlines one of the most star-studded fields of the Diamond League season, attracted back to Britain by the recent introduction of a tax exemption for overseas sports stars.

Olympic champions Kirani James, Aries Merritt and Sally Pearson will all be in attendance - along with previously announced home favourites including Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis.

Farah will compete in the 3,000m, while Ennis has signed up to take on Pearson in the 100m hurdles.

Also set to compete in the 100m is 2003 world champion Kim Collins, who was famously denied the opportunity to compete in his fifth Olympics by his own Olympic committee last year. The 37-year-old is looking to get some closure, and finally race in the Olympic Stadium.

"My story from London was well documented, and to have the opportunity a year on to run in the stadium, is something that I'm really grateful for," Collins said. The support I get from the British crowds every year is incredible and I'm looking forward to hearing that roar when I come out on to the track in July.

"This is my Olympic final, and I'm going to take full advantage of the occasion and show that even at 37, I'm still a force to be reckoned with."

The London Anniversary Games will take place on July 26-28.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.