The Great British athletics squad for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this summer has been announced by UK Athletics, just days after the conclusion of the European Championships.
The squad contains an interesting mix of past champions, as well as other veterans and young stars looking to make their mark on the world stage.
This piece focuses on those in the track events.
Champions not alone in the quest for more glory
There are two past track Olympic champions in the squad, with both joined by fellow Brits in their respective event.
London 2012 gold medalist Mo Farah will also be returning to defend their titles. Farah, who did the long distance double in 2012, will be the heavy favorite once again, and is joined by Tom Farrell and Andrew Butchart in 5000 metres and Andy Vernon and Ross Millington in the 10,000 metres.
Also in action will be Christine Ohuruogu, who won the gold in Beijing and silver in London in the 400 metres. She will be joined by Emily Diamond and Seren Bundy-Davies at this distance.
Sprinters looking for success
The squad contains a relatively large number of sprinters, some of whom could make an impact in Rio.
As well as Ohuruogu, Diamond, and Bundy-Davies, UK Athletics has also chosen three men for the 400 metres, with the experienced two-time European Champion Martyn Rooney joining Olympic debutants Matthew Hudson-Smith and Rabah Yousif.
Eilidh Doyle, a former European Champion, is the sole representative in the women’s 400 metres hurdles, whilst Jack Greene and Sebastian Rodger is entered for the men.
James Dasaolu and Chindji Ujah, who have both dipped under 10 seconds for 100 metres, join James Ellington in being picked for that event whilst Adam Gemili, of whom much has been expected, heads the 200 metres alongside Danny Talbot and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake.
The women’s 100 metres team is headed by the experienced Asha Phillip, who is joined by young stars Desiree Henry and Daryll Neita. In the 200 metres Dina Asher-Smith, the recent European Champion, is joined by fellow young prospect Jodie Williams.
The relay squads include all the sprinters in the individual events, though there are some more representatives in the team. In the 4x100 metres relay Richard Kilty, Ojie Edoburun and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey are in the men’s squad whilst Bianca Williams, Ashleigh Nelson and Louise Bloor complete the women’s team.
Delano Williams, Nigel Levine and Jarryd Dunn complete the men’s 4x400 metres team whilst Anyika Onuora, Margaret Adeoye and Kelly Massey complete the women’s team.
Middle and long distance runners looking to make their mark
Britain has had mixed success in the middle and long distances in recent years, though there is some depth in the number of athletes chosen for these distances
On the women’s side, there is a mixture of experience and Olympic debutants. In the 800 metres Lynsey Sharp, a former European Champion and semifinalist in London 2012, is joined by Shelayna Oskan-Clarke who is making her Olympic debut. In the 1500 metres, Laura Muir is also making her Olympic Debut, where she is joined by London 2012 finalist Laura Weightman.
Michael Rimmer, in the 800 metres, is competing in his third Olympics alongside Elliot Giles, who is making his Olympic debut. In the 1500 metres, both Charlie Grice and Chris O’Hare are appearing at the Olympics for the first time.
The team has two representatives in the 3000 metres steeplechase, with Rob Mullett for the men and Lennie Waite for the women both making their first appearances at the Olympics.
As well as the men, who were previously mentioned, the team has sent a decent sized squad for the women’s long distance events. Jo Pavey, aged 42, will make her incredible fifth Olympic appearance when she races in the 10,000 metres; she will be joined by Beth Potter and Jessica Andrews. Meanwhile Steph Twell, Eilish McColgan and Laura Whittle will compete in the 5000 metres.
Sonia Samuels and Alyson Dixon will compete in the women’s marathon, whilst Callum Hawkins, Tsegai Tewelde and Derek Hawkins will compete in the men’s version. Tom Bosworth will compete in the 20-kilometre walk and Dominic King in 50-kilometre walk, though there are no female race walkers in the team.