A NUMBER of famous athletes will visit the Isle of Man during the Commonwealth Youth Games.
Dame Kelly Holmes, who last visited the Island in May, will visit in her capacity as president of the English team.
Kelly won two gold medals in the 800m and 1500m events at the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004.
During her athletics career she also claimed gold at the 1994 and 2002, and silver at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, silver and bronze at the 1995 Gothenburg World Championships, a bronze medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and silver in both the 2003 indoor and outdoor World Championships.
Speaking about her trip to the Island she said: "The Commonwealth Youth Games is a great opportunity for athletes to pit themselves against some of the world's leading competitors in their age group.
"It will give many of them a really good introduction to competing in championships and I am really looking forward to spotting some of the stars of the future and see what a great event the Isle of Man puts on."
Fellow Athens gold medallist Tonique Williams-Darling from the Bahamas, who won the 2004 Olympics 400 metres race and the gold medal in the 2005 Helsinki World Championships, has also confirmed that she will be in the Isle of Man during the event.
She will be working in her role as athletics team leader for the Caribbean island team.
Three time world champion Gymnast Beth Tweddle, who competed in the Edinburgh Commonwealth Youth Games, will also be visiting and will be closely following the English team as their gymnastics ambassador.
Alan Pascoe, the 400 metres and 400-metre hurdles runner, will also be casting his eye over the games. Pascoe, whose career highlight was an Olympic silver medal in the 400m relay in Munich as well as a gold medal in the 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games, is now the chairman of leading UK sports agency Fast Track and was involved in the successful bid for London hosting the 2012 Olympics.
Swimmer Sarah Price, who won gold medals in the 100 metre and 200 metre backstroke events at the Manchester Commonwealth Games, will be commentating on the swimming events.
Geoff Karran MBE, chairman of the Isle of Man Commonwealth Youth Games organising committee, said: "We are delighted that such an illustrious group of former stars will be visiting the Isle of Man for the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games and we look forward to welcoming them and all the athletes and officials to our Island where we hope to be watching some of the stars of the future making their mark."
Tickets for all events can be purchased from the Welcome Centre in the Sea Terminal, Douglas and the Villa Marina reception. Alternatively they can be bought over the telephone by calling 01624 600555.
