Defending Champions B.C Tilak and Monica Athare lead Indian contingent at TCS 10K

At the TCS World 10K Bangalore Audi Convoy (L to R), Vivek Singh Jt. MD from Procam International, Micah Kogo Elite Athlete, Marie Jose Perec, Event Ambassador, TCS World 10K Bangalore and Emily Chebet, Elite Athlete.

"When you want to achieve something, you experience butterflies in your stomach, it was in my skin- the passion that is." says Marie Perec, Three-Time Olympic Gold Medalist and International Event Ambassador, TCS World 10k

"India is on the sports incline, emerging in every sporting discipline right now, it's a privilege to be here and I'm glad to be the event ambassador of this event. It is so encouraging to see the number of people that flood the streets for the World 10k, every year, running as a sport seems to have cemented its place in Bangalore's heart.", said Jose Marie Perec, 3 time Olympic Gold medalist and the International Event Ambassador of the TCS World 10K Bangalore 2015 at a Meet & Greet session at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, here, on Friday.

The star arrived in an Audi, lead car for the TCS World 10K, lead in the company of the event's elite athletes Micah Kogo, Emily Chebet and Vivek Singh, Procam International at the Stadium, the start-finish point of the 10K run. Marie said she was amazed at how the running movement has evolved in the country.

The winner of 3 spectacular Olympic medals that included an amazing gold in 400m at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, four years later she completed the famed double, becoming the second-ever athlete to win the Olympic Gold in both 200 metres and 400 metres. Marie spoke further about her beginnings in the sport, "My family had nothing to do with sport, growing up in Guadeloupe we really didn't have much. I stumbled into running by accident almost. One day I began running and it just made me feel so good that I stuck to it." Marie stressed on the fact that running has the potential to transform one's body and the fact that is it something anyone can do at his or her own pace. "To dedicate half an hour of everyday toward a fitness activity such as running is something everyone can do, the result is we live healthier lives, we begin our day with as much energy as we can."

The sprinting sensation said she had always hoped to come to India and was thrilled to be in Bangalore, she spoke about how the city's weather makes for ideal running conditions and thatSunday should be a fun filled extravaganza, filled with colour and celebration. Highlighting the popularity of the World 10K. It was one of the first things that attracted me to the run, this carnival atmosphere that the World 10K is synonymous with.

Joining the meet and greet was a group of India's own elite athlete contingent lead by Sunita Godhara, Indian Athlete Co-ordinator, defending Campion B C Tilak, Kheta Ram,Man Singh and defending champion in the Women's category Swati Gadhave, Monika Athare and L Surya.

Speaking on the run last year's champion, B.C Tilak said, "Last year was hard, I expect this year to be a lot harder, the competition is much stiffer, but generally I feel good and I'm ready, I'm proud to be a part of this marathon." His anticipation in counting down to the run was mirrored by his compatriots, Man Singh who will line up alongside come Sunday threw down the gauntlet by stating " I've trained really hard this year, in pursuit of breaking some records, I won the bronze last year I'm hoping to go a lot better this year."

Last year's champion from the women's category Monica Athare was the picture of poise and calm leading in to Sunday's race, when quizzed about her expectations she said, "I have belief in myself, and I've trained hard for this 10k, I aim to improve my overall game and want to come out on top." Expanding on her return to Bangalore she said,"It's always a great feeling to race here as the climate is tailor made for running."

The Indian athletes seemed to exude a calm confidence.The TCS World 10K Bangalore 2015,will be telecast on Star Sports 4 from 6:00 am.