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Olympic Stadium to host Diamond League meeting

The Olympic Stadium will once again host world-class athletics © PA Photos

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The Olympic Stadium will host its first event since London 2012 on the anniversary of the opening ceremony.

UK Athletics have confirmed that the London Grand Prix, part of the Diamond League series, will be moved to east London from Crystal Palace and the event on July 27 will take place a year to the day after the Games kicked off in style.

Niels de Vos, the chief executive of UK Athletics, said: "We are delighted that the British Athletics London Grand Prix will be held at the Olympic Stadium in July and the fact that it's on the first anniversary of the opening ceremony is very special.

"The Olympic Stadium created some incredible memories in 2012 - memories which rekindled the British public's love for athletics. An integral part of our 2012 legacy is not only that our athletes continue to succeed on the world stage but that the British public continue to be inspired by some of the greatest names in athletics and experience world-class sport first-hand."

Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah, who both won gold on a memorable night in the stadium, expressed their delight that people that missed out on tickets to the athletics sessions would get a chance to see elite athletes in action.

"The atmosphere was electric during the Games, I'll never forget it, so it's great that the British fans, and athletes, will get to experience that again so soon after the Games," Farah said.

Ennis added: "It is brilliant to hear that the British Athletics London GP is going to be held at the Olympic Stadium a year after the Games. It will give athletes and fans who did not get to experience the amazing venue the chance to go there, and for those of us who had the most incredible experiences on the track and field, an opportunity to relive a few memories.

"Hopefully I will be there and using the competition as part of my preparation for the World Championships."

The long-term future of the Olympic Stadium remains in the balance with West Ham announced as the preferred bidders in December.

The stadium will also host the World Athletics Championships and IPC championships in 2017 - the first time a city has hosted both the Paralympic and able-bodied events in the same year.

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