Chronicle Editor
BRITISH athlete Dina Asher-Smith confirmed her place at the Paris 2024 Olympics as she beat Daryll Neita to the British 200m title at the UK Athletics Championships. Asher-Smith (28) ran a championship record 22,18 seconds to finish ahead of Neita, who had already confirmed her inclusion in Team GB by winning 100m gold on Saturday.
On a thrilling final day of action in Manchester, several exciting young athletes shone under ominously dark clouds to ensure they will represent Team GB for the first time in Paris. Phoebe Gill (17) claimed a stunning 800m victory ahead of Jemma Reekie in one minute 58,66 secs, with those two athletes joining Olympic and world silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson at the Games.
The 23-year-old Amber Anning won the women’s 400m in impressive fashion, clocking a championship record 50,47secs ahead of Laviai Nielsen, who joins twin sister Lina on the Olympic team, while another rising star Charlie Dobson dominated the men’s event with a time of 44,56 seconds.
There was drama in the men’s 800m final, won by 22-year-old world bronze medallist Ben Pattison in 1:45,49, as world 1 500m champion Josh Kerr suffered a fall as he attempted to pass Elliot Giles on the inside in the closing stages − but was unharmed.
Pattison, who claimed a surprise first global medal in Budapest, was followed across the line by Max Burgin, also 22 and now set for an Olympic debut. Matthew Hudson-Smith stormed to the men’s 200m title with a personal best 20,34 seconds as the world 400m silver medallist sharpened his speed before targeting glory in Paris.
Georgia Bell (30) will make her first appearance at an Olympics after she stunned favourite Laura Muir in the women’s 1500m, as will Neil Gourley and European 5 000m silver medallist George Mills after they occupied the top-two spots in the men’s final. BBC Sport.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter