Steve Backley in action in Munich 2002 (© Getty Images Allsport)
Reigning European Javelin champion Steve Backley will take his final domestic competition bow before a British crowd at this summer's Norwich Union London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on Friday 30 July.
Backley, who has been one of the world's leading javelin throwers for the well over a decade, will retire from the sport after this summer's Olympic Games in Athens.
The four-time European champion admits there may be a tear in his eye when he steps out to compete at the IAAF Super Grand Prix meeting at the Crystal Palace. In 1990 the venue was the setting for the second of the four World records that he has so far set during his career.
"It will be sad to think that this will be my last time out at Crystal Palace, but I will be hoping to go out with a bang," confirmed Backley.
The Sydney Olympic silver medallist who also took silver in Atlanta and bronze in Barcelona, threw 90.98m in Crystal Palace on 20 July 1990.
"Its hard to believe that it is now 14 years since that World record. It was a phenomenal evening, one of those nights when everything was right. The Palace is my home track, the venue where I still train, so it seems fitting to be staying farewell to domestic competition there."
Backley has also announced that he will go head-to-head with Zelezny at the Norwich Union British Grand Prix in Gateshead on June 27, which is also an IAAF Super Grand Prix event.
