Andy Turner to captain England
England’s Andy Turner is to captain his country in the upcoming Great North City Games last this month against rival Australia. The 110m European hurdles champion stunned crowds at the Barcelona Olympic Stadium back in June, when he won with a dramatic best time of 13.28 seconds.
The 29 year-old said of his Euro victory, “I'm just so happy, it's been a tough two years but I've been chipping away and working hard, all those lows have finally been worth it. I can forget about that now.” Having silenced his critics by succeeding in the event where he could only earn bronze four years ago, Turner is definitely a beacon of what hard work, passion, and patience can achieve. And now, poised to take on his native country’s captaincy, the athlete is brimming with enthusiasm. “Competing for your country is always exciting, but to captain an England Team competing on home soil is extra special. I'll ensure my team is fired up for this head-to-head match against a nation we always want to beat.”
Australia will prove tough competition, and the England side may not easily take the win as they did at the inaugural event on the Gateshead quayside in 2009.
The Great North City Games will be held on Saturday, September 18 in NewcastleGateshead, and will feature pole vault, long jump, track sprints and road races. Set along the South Shore Road and the River Tyne, the location is steeped in tradition, and will also provide spectators – who can get in for free – with unique views of the competitors. The region is also home to the famous Premier League football team Newcastle United, and many museums and libraries.
The head-to-head against Australia will be one of the most anticipated events of the athletics season, and with Turner at the helm, both sides are promising to be formidable.
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