TOP international athletes from both sides of the Atlantic will come together in a head-to-head battle at the Great North City Games on the Newcastle-Gateshead Quayside on September 17.

Now in its third year, the unique City Games will feature one of the greatest rivalries in international sport, with the Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland team taking on their American counterparts over six disciplines including the pole vault, long jump, track sprints and road races, broadcast live by the BBC. The free event offers spectators the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the biggest names in sport.

A purpose-built running track will be created in front of The Sage, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Tyne Bridge and Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

Andy Graffin, special project manager at Nova International, said: “After an enthralling Great North City Games last year between England and Australia, we’re delighted to welcome team USA.

“The Great North City Games is now a firm favourite on the summer athletics calendar. The fact that it takes place outside of a stadium and allows elite athletes to perform so close to the spectators means the atmosphere is unlike anything you would experience at a traditional competition.”

UK Athletics chief executive, Niels de Vos, added: “British athletes will relish the opportunity to go head to head against the USA in this inno-vative Great City Games event.

“The Great North City Games will provide athletics fans with another opportunity to see Britain’s top athletes in action after the Aviva GB team’s return from the World Athletics Championships.”

The Great North City Games are part of a world-class weekend of sport on Tyneside, with the Bupa Junior and Mini Great North Run on the Saturday and the Bupa Great North Run on Sunday.