The first Bedfordshire International Games was held at Bedford Stadium on Saturday 10th June 1994 following an approach to host the first European Athletic Promotion circuit meeting in Great Britain.  Fifteen equally successful ones have followed this inaugural meeting, with two Commonwealth and two British records being set in that time.  As part of the EAP circuit, the meeting was designed to provide top class competition for those athletes on the verge of international and national success but who found it difficult to get entry into appropriate competition at home or overseas. The Bedford International Games continues to provide this whilst also giving the rising stars of our sport the opportunity to take their first steps towards fulfilling their ambitions.  2000 saw a change of name - BIG; and it has since been dubbed the 'Athlete Friendly Games', where athletes are able to compete for themselves, in whichever event they wish, without the pressures of club, county, regional or national representation.  Over the years we have seen many athletes begin their campaigns for major championship medals in all age groups as well as those achieving seasons or personal best performances.  We have been privileged to welcome a number of overseas athletes to BIG over the years, notable amongst   them are Carolina Kluft (Sweden - Olympic and World Heptathlon Champion) who competed in the High Jump in 2000, Tamsyn Lewis (Australia - Commonwealth relay gold medallist / World Indoor 800m Gold Medalist), Mary Onyali (Nigeria - Olympic relay bronze medallist), Emma Green (Sweden - 2005 World Championships High Jump bronze medallist) and Nova Peris-Kneebone (Australia - Olympic Hockey gold medallist).  Two Commonwealth records, Lorraine Shaw's Hammer throw of 64.90m (1995) and Kate Staples' Pole Vault of 3.70m (1995), head the achievements list with Janine Whitlock's three British records culminating with 4.46m in the Pole Vault in 2005 coming a very close second.

Many British stars have also used BIG on their pathway to the very highest levels of world athletics success and these include Christine Ohuruogu in her preparations for both Olympic and World titles, Phillips Idowu on his way to Olympic Silver and World Indoor Gold medals, Nicola Sanders, Marlon Devonish and Jason Gardener on their way to World Indoor Golds, Sally Gunnell in her comeback from Atlanta injury, Tessa Sanderson to her 4th Olympic Games, Dougie Walker to his European 200m title and athletes of the calibre of Donna Fraser, Darren Campbell, Greg Rutherford, Mick Hill, Jamie Baulch, Mark Lewis-Francis and Jo Fenn.  As BIG developed, Junior events were added to the programme and we have also been pleased to assist many Junior athletes such as Sarah Wilhelmy (World Junior 200m bronze medallist in 1998), Nicola Sanders (European Junior 400m Hurdles bronze medal winner in 1999, World Indoor 400m Champion in 2007 and World Outdoor Silver Medallist in 2007), Tim Benjamin (European U23 400m Champion in 2003), Craig Pickering (European Junior Champion and European U23 and Senior Indoor Silver Medallist), Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (World Junior 100m Champion 2006) and Greg Rutherford (European Long Jump Champion 2005) in their rise to the top.  BIG 2007 and 2008 saw a number of events specifically tailored to meet the needs of Under 20 and Under 18 athletes in qualification for the European Junior Championships, the World Youth Games and the European Youth Olympics.  Congratulations to all those who made the team and in particular to all the medallists.  Wheelchair Events over 100m, 200m and 400m were included in the programme for the first time in 2002 with both races being won in fast times by Paralympian David Weir (T53). 2004 saw fabulous performances by Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson (T53) and Kenny van Weeglen (Holland) on their way to Paralympic success in Athens.

These races have now become a permanent part of all BIG meetings and we were delighted when BIG 2008 was identified as one of the major selection meetings for the Paralympic Games team in Beijing with the Pan Disability races taking centre stage.  Congratulations must go to Ian Jones (T13) for his two Bronze medals won in Beijing.  Men's and Women's sprint relays were added to the programme in 2001 and we have seen many of GB's top sprinters in action over the last three years. In fact, in 2004, we were privileged to witness the Olympic qualification time run by the men's relay team of Darren Campbell, Marlon Devonish, Jason Gardener and Mark Lewis-Francis who went on just 2 months later to become Olympic Champions in Athens.  To involve grass roots athletics within the programme an invitational U17 100m East Challenge was run for the first time in 2006.  U17 100m county medallists are invited to compete in this challenge and we hope that this may be seen as a very important addition to the counties program in the future.  Since the inaugural BIG in 1995 in excess of 200 athletes have gone on to represent their country at Olympic, World, European, Commonwealth, U23 European, World Universities, World Junior or European Junior Championships. Many more have gained international vests.  Congratulations to everyone concerned. We wish you continuing success and we look forward to again being able to assist you in fulfilling your 2009 dreams and your progress towards a successful London 2012. 

See you again at Bedford on May 31^st 2009.