Defending champion Asha Philip is relishing the opportunity to compete at the European Athletics Indoor Championships with 60 days to go

The race to the European Athletics Indoor Championships, which comes to Glasgow in March 2019, is now headed into the final straight with only 60 days to go.

Some of Europe’s leading athletes will descend on Glasgow’s Emirates Arena between March 1-3 as the Championships return to the iconic city for the first time since 1990. There will be 650 athletes from more than 45 nations setting their sights on glory.

Sprinter Asha Philip has had nothing short of a remarkable career. She sparked her athletic journey by rewriting the history books as a teenager as she became the world youth 100m champion in 2007. Since suffering a career-threatening cruciate injury, which meant she was unable to take part in any physical activity for two years, she has made an incredible return.

Philip now holds a wealth of titles to her name and can proudly say she is an Olympic and world medallist and European indoor 60m champion, currently holding the national record in that distance.

The 28-year-old is now fully focussed on continuing her hard work to get the opportunity to compete at Glasgow 2019.

“Now that we are heading into 2019 and have officially passed the 60 days-to-go mark until the European Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 2019, my excitement levels are very high as I am sure the rest of the athletes are too.

"To have the opportunity to compete at a fantastic event in a world-class venue in front of a home crowd, is something that helps keep me motivated in training during the off-season for sure.

"The competition will be tough for all athletes. My aim is to keep working hard to make sure I give myself the best chance of arriving in Glasgow in top condition ready to compete for a medal.”

Cherry Alexander MBE, major events director at British Athletics and sport director for Glasgow 2019, said: “With another major milestone upon us and now only 60 days to go until Glasgow 2019, the excitement for the Championships both in athletes and fans will be building each and every day.

"We are especially thrilled by the reaction from the public and this is particularly evident from the tickets sales for each day of the Championships, with some sessions now fully sold out. I can’t wait for fans, not only from the UK but from overseas too, to be at the Emirates Arena in March cheering on some of Europe’s finest athletes.”

The Emirates Arena, built for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, has a capacity of 5000 and is one of the largest indoor sports venues in Europe hosting a diverse range of sporting events throughout the year.

The full competition schedule is now live on www.glasgow2019athletics.com with limited tickets available across some events.

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