Rutherford expecting red-hot competition at London Anniversary Games

The 31-year-old is set to retire at the end of the season and is in line to compete at the London Stadium for the last time - the stadium where he won his Olympic gold medal.

Rutherford announced his decision to retire last month following injury struggles and missed the British Athletics Championships with appendicitis at the beginning of July.

The London Anniversary Games is part of the IAAF Diamond League Series and will see Rutherford compete against the likes of Olympic champion Jeff Henderson and 19-year-old Cuban sensation Juan Miguel Echevarria.

"I think I'm very lucky with Echevarria in particular, we might see him break the world record," said Rutherford.

"I don't think I've competed against him ever. My only hope is that he doesn't break the world record in the London Stadium because it would be nice to have the farewell that's focusing just on me rather than those amazing guys!

"They (his younger rivals) are incredible jumpers, they've got youth on their side, bundles of ability and it's going to be really nice to be surrounded by them.

"I'm also hoping some of my good friends around the event are also there so that I can just have a really nice time and enjoy it as much as possible.

"It's going to be a red-hot competition, I'm very excited."

Rutherford also hopes to compete at the European Championships in Berlin in August but will hope to give a fitting farewell to the London Stadium before then.

The 2017 edition of the event saw three meeting records, including a huge 7.01m leap from the USA's double Olympic champion Tianna Bartoletta in the long jump.

Tough competition is also expected in the women's 200m, where Britain's Dina Asher-Smith goes up against Olympic champion Elaine Thompson and world champion Dafne Schippers in the women's 200m.

Sportsbeat 2018