Athletics

Plymouth’s King added to Great Britain team for World Athletics Championships

CITY of Plymouth sprint hurdler David King is one of 14 athletes who have been added to the Great Britain squad for the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

British Athletics initially named a squad of 64 athletes who had qualified automatically, but they have since added other competitors who have qualified through their world ranking.

World indoor finalist King joins fellow Olympians like Emily Borthwick, Morgan Lake and Jazmin Sawyer in been added to the team. There is also a place for Cornwall pole vaulter Molly Caudery.

King said: “I’m thrilled to make the team for my second World Championships. I’ve worked hard for this one and I’m so excited to see what I can do in Eugene.”

A British Athletics statement said: “As outlined in the (selection) policy, the objectives were to select a team that maximised medal success, individual top eight placings, and the number of athletes progressing through rounds.

“Furthermore, the policy outlined that for those athletes who had not achieved a qualification standard, the panel could only consider those who were ranked in the top 32 (top 27 for 10,000m) on the Road to Oregon list. The panel considered several performance factors, including current form, to select athletes who indicated their potential to meet these objectives.”

Olympic head coach Christian Malcolm added: “We are pleased to be adding 14 athletes to the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for Oregon.

“We believe those added to the team meet the objectives of the policy, that maximised medal success, individual top eight placings, and the number of athletes progressing through rounds.

“We are taking a large team of 77 to Oregon with athletes competing across a number of disciplines which is really encouraging to see and is healthy for the sport overall. I look forward to seeing how they all perform in America in a couple of weeks.”

The championships will take place between July 15 and July 24.

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