The final preparations are underway in Valencia as the city gets ready to host the 12th World Indoor Athletics Championships.

Beginning on Friday (March 7th) and running for three days, the competition will see the world’s finest athletes travel to Valencia to take part in one of the most important events on the global athletics calendar ahead of this summer’s Olympic games in Beijing.

Valencia’s Palau Velodromo Luis Puig provides the venue for the competition, with the Spanish media hoping that local athletes will benefit from their home advantage and claim several medals.

The championships are also a big event for British athletes, although the selection of the UK team has caused some controversy - disgraced sprinter Dwain Chambers will race after serving his two-year doping ban.

Beginning at 10:00 local time on Friday with qualification rounds for the shot put, the competition closes on Sunday night with the final of the 4×400 metres relay.