OLYMPIAN Lee McConnell was joined by three top athletes in the build-up to the first world class athletics meeting to take place at the new Emirates Arena.

The British Athletics Glasgow International Match starts today at the 5000-seat arena in the East End of the city.

McConnell, who comes from Glasgow, is a 400m specialist and one of Scotland's most decorated athletes with World, European and Commonwealth medals to her name.

She will represent a Commonwealth Select team in the 200m and take on four countries in the annual format previously held at Kelvin Hall.

The 34-year-old said: "It's always great to compete in front of a home crowd. I've moved down an event and a distance, so it's going to be really tough.

"After London, I'm really looking forward to competing in Glasgow – I've had a lot of support in Scotland, and I don't often get the opportunity to come here and race in front of them.

"I'm hoping the home advantage will act in my favour."

McConnell met Olympic 4x100m champion Carmelita Jeter, Paralympic F44 long jump silver medallist Stef Reid and T12 100m silver medallist Libby Clegg ahead of their appearances on the track.

Clegg and Reid will be able to compete indoors for the first time in their careers as this will be the first time the competition will host Paralympic events in its 21 year history.

Jeter will race for the USA in the 60m, to build towards defending her world title in the 2013 World Championship in Athletics in Moscow later this year.

She said: "I'm really excited to be here in Glasgow, I haven't been here since 2010, so it's been a while.

"I'm really looking forward to getting out there and competing on the new track.

"I'm defending champion and I really just want to make sure I'm ready for August."

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