Superstars returns for one-off Olympic special

Olympic gold medallists Mo Farah, Nicola Adams, Alistair Brownlee and Katherine Grainger compete in a special edition of Superstars on Saturday.

The 90-minute programme, which will be shown on BBC One at 18:45 GMT, features 16 Olympians, 10 of them gold medallists from London 2012.

Split into two groups, the eight men and eight women will compete in eight different disciplines.

Gabby Logan hosts the relaunch of the classic 1970s show.

What is Superstars?

• Superstars was first broadcast in the UK on BBC One during the 1970s and 1980s
• Athletes competed across several disciplines
• The original gym tests consisted of circuit running, a medicine ball throw, parallel bar dips and squat thrusts
• The show ceased in 1985 but returned in 2002 as a one-off special for Sport Relief and led to the making of a new series the following year

"We have an incredible line-up of Olympic heroes," said Logan, whose father, former professional footballer Terry Yorath, appeared on the original Superstars.

"What an opportunity for them to compete against each other across a range of diverse physical challenges."

The eight disciplines include 100m and 800m on the track, a javelin competition, a 50m race in the swimming pool and an archery event.

The contestants will also tackle a kayak race and use their cycling skills in a hill climb before a grand finale of gruelling gym tests.

Former Olympians Denise Lewis and Iwan Thomas will provide their views as pundits, while London 2012 bronze medallist Rebecca Adlington will act as a mentor to all the athletes in the swimming event.

Olympic Superstars 2012

• Alistair Brownlee: Gold, triathlon
• Jonathan Brownlee: Bronze, triathlon
• Mo Farah: Gold, 5,000m and 10,000m
• Robbie Grabarz: Bronze, high jump
• Michael Jamieson: Silver, 200m breast stroke swimming
• Anthony Joshua: Gold, super-heavyweight boxing
• Andrew Triggs Hodge: Gold, rowing (coxless four)
• Peter Wilson: Gold, shooting (double trap)
• Nicola Adams: Gold, flyweight boxing
• Lizzie Armitstead: Silver, cycling (road race)
• Laura Bechtolsheimer: Gold and bronze, dressage
• Gemma Gibbons: Silver, judo
• Helen Glover: Gold, rowing (coxless pair)
• Katherine Grainger: Gold, rowing (double sculls)
• Jade Jones: Gold, taekwondo
• Christine Ohuruogu: Silver, 400m

Speaking before the event took place, Farah, the 5,000m and 10,000m Olympic gold medallist, said he was thrilled to be taking part in the one-off show, which was staged at the University of Bath.

"Superstars is going to be a lot of fun," he said. "I'm really looking forward to it.

"After a hard season, it will be nice to compete in a different environment. Some of the events are quite new to me which will make it all the more interesting."

Triathlon brothers Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee, who took gold and bronze respectively at London 2012, will again be fighting for family bragging rights.

"Let's see if we can repeat our London 2012 achievements and get two Brownlee brothers on the Superstars podium," said Alistair.

The full list of competitors:

Alistair Brownlee, Jonathan Brownlee, Mo Farah, Robbie Grabarz, Michael Jamieson, Anthony Joshua, Andrew Triggs Hodge, Peter Wilson, Nicola Adams, Lizzie Armitstead, Laura Bechtolsheimer, Gemma Gibbons, Helen Glover, Katherine Grainger, Jade Jones and Christine Ohuruogu.