Relishing the challenge of Lausanne, Gateshead and Paris. 1 July 2010

Double Paralympic Champion David Weir, will this month race in three successive Diamond League meetings.

The 31-year-old from Wallington, Surrey will compete in the events at Lausanne on July 8, Gateshead on July 10 and Paris on July 16.

“I’m looking forward to three big races; they don’t get much bigger in world athletics! It will be great to experience the new Diamond League and hopefully wheelchair racing will start to gain a bigger profile in our sport.

“It’s really unusual to be invited to three big meetings back to back, but it’s an opportunity that I just can’t turn down! Of course I’m aiming to be on the top of my game in front of the home crowd in Gateshead, as the first Diamond League meeting comes to the UK!

“I am pleased with how training is going now, my races in Switzerland showed that I’m back to my best with three personal bests, I know there is a lot more to come.”

David is in great form, but narrowly lost two of his world records to rival Marcel Hug of Switzerland last weekend.

He clocked three personal best times - in the 800metres, 1500m and 5000m - but even going beneath his own world records in the longer distances was not enough as Hug claimed three world records at the Arbon Meeting in Switzerland.