Two-time double Olympic and world champion Mo Farah (coach: Alberto Salazar) has identified the Müller Indoor Grand Prix in Birmingham, ranked as the number one indoor grand prix meeting in the world, as a key event in his bid for global championships medals in 2017.

It is a huge year for IAAF events in the UK with the World Para Athletics Championships in July and the IAAF World Championships in August, and a host of world-class events being staged in Birmingham over the coming months.

Farah will take to the track at the indoor arena on Saturday 18 February in a race which he has identified as key to his preparations for the World Championship later in the year.

Mo Farah said: “The Müller Indoor Grand Prix in Birmingham is always a great event to be a part of, and I’m looking forward to returning to a city where I’ve had so much success over the years.”

“The crowds in Birmingham are always fantastic to compete in front of and I have many special memories of competing here. The event will be a key part of my preparations as I look towards the IAAF World Championships London 2017 later in the year.”

Farah’s last appearance at the Birmingham Indoor Grand Prix in 2015 saw him break the indoor world record over two miles with a stunning run, and the 33-year-old is looking forward to kick-starting his season in the West Midlands in the new year.

Tickets to see Farah and a host of other global stars at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham are now on general sale and can be purchased by visiting www.britishathletics.org.uk.

The Müller Indoor Grand Prix returns to the Midlands in February having been held in Glasgow for the first time in 2016 as the city alternates hosting the event with Birmingham up to 2020.

Niels de Vos, Chief Executive of UK Athletics said:
“Mo Farah is one of Britain’s biggest sporting superstars. It will be phenomenal to see him race again in Birmingham at the number one indoor event in the world. This year is very special for athletics in the UK and for all British athletes. The fact that Mo has selected the Muller Indoor Grand Prix as a key race in a World Championship year is significant. I think we may see something very special when he takes to take track in Birmingham on 18 February.”

The Müller Indoor Grand Prix is a vital event for British athletes as they prepare for a year which will include two global championships in the UK; the World Para Athletics Championships and the IAAF World Championships London 2017. Then in March 2018, Birmingham will host the IAAF World Indoor Championships from 2-4 March.

The Müller Indoor Grand Prix is the number one ranked indoor grand prix in the world. Tickets are available at www.britishathletics.org.uk