The one-day event will consist of two sessions, due to take place on Sunday July 20 to mark two years since the Opening Ceremony of London 2012, and feature pole vault, long jump and shot put competitions as well as a spectrum of track races spanning Olympic and Paralympic disciplines.

It will follow in the footsteps of the three day event held last year in the Olympic Stadium, which is currently unavailable due to transformation work, and will take place a week before the actual anniversary to avoid a clash with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Athletics events begin in Glasgow on July 27, meaning that the Games will be the final warm-up event for many top British and international athletes.

The Horse Guards Parade landmark, which hosted beach volleyball during London 2012, will be transformed into a temporary 20,000 capacity venue billed as what will be "the most striking athletics arena in the world".

Beach volleyball took place at Horse Guards Parade during London 2012
©AFP/Getty Images



The national body UK Athletics, which also uses the title British Athletics for marketing purposes, marked the announcement with a long jump demonstration where Olympic champion Greg Rutherford and training partner Jermaine Olason jumped against five black cabs, equating to the world record distance of 8.95 metres, set by Mike Powell in Tokyo in 1991, this morning. 

Tickets will become available from 9am tomorrow and will be available here, along with more information on the full schedule when it is unveiled.

After tickets for last year's Sainsbury's Anniversary Games sold out in an impressive 75 minutes, it is hoped demand will be similarly high this time around.

"Last year's sell out Sainsbury's Anniversary Games were yet another great example of how London is now a natural home for international sport," said London Mayor Boris Johnson.

"This year's return is a golden opportunity to see our Olympic and Paralympic superstars in action set against the spectacular backdrop of Horse Guards Parade Ground and The Mall in St James's Park."

Greg Rutherford's training partner Jermaine Olason was also present in Horse Guards Parade this morning ©British Athletics

 

Sainsbury's head of brand communications Mark Given described the events as "a once in a lifetime event, showcasing world class athletics on an iconic central London stage", and enthusiasm was also conveyed by Penelope Boyd, head of events and filming at The Royal Parks.

"Having played a significant role in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games where 11 Royal Parks hosted competitions from triathlon to equestrian and of course the Beach Volleyball, it is fantastic to be part of the London legacy," she said.

"We are looking forward to seeing Olympic and Paralympic medallists in action once again at one of our most iconic venues."

The event will be particularly special for Rutherford, who missed the 2013 event through injury but has since returned to top form by setting a new British Record mark of 8.51m in San Diego last month, subject to official confirmation following an appeal over the legality of the jump. 

"It's a great place to be and I think it's going to be incredibly special to hold the Sainsbury's Anniversary Games here," Rutherford said.

"It's one of the most iconic parts of London and you just have to look at the backdrop of Horse Guards to see the London Eye and just around the corner we've Queen sipping on her tea.

"I was so gutted to miss out on the Sainsbury's Anniversary Games last year, so for me it's a second bite of the cherry.

"By the time I come to compete, I will be in the best shape of the year and I'll be looking to jump far here.

"Fans need to get on the British Athletics website, and get themselves in the ballot.

"There are 20,000 tickets and all we want is people excited about athletics cheering everyone on, in what will be a spectacular showcase of the sport."

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