Chris Thompson and Stephanie Davis, winners of last month’s Olympic marathon trials, are among the first seven names to be formally confirmed in Great Britain’s athletics team for the Tokyo Games.
Thompson sprung a surprise at the Kew trial, smashing his personal best just a month shy of his 40th birthday to win the race inside the Olympic qualifying time and guarantee selection. He will be joined in the men’s marathon by Ben Connor, who finished second in the trials, and Callum Hawkins, who finished fourth at the World Championships in 2019 and had already secured pre-selection.
Davis, a part-time athlete who only ran her first marathon in September 2018, set a new personal best in winning the trials and will be joined in the women’s marathon in Sapporo by Jess Piasecki and Steph Twell.
Tom Bosworth will contest the race walk after finishing second in the trials having already achieved the qualifying time.
UK Athletics performance director and Team GB athletics team leader Sara Symington said: “We are really pleased to be announcing the first seven members of the athletics team for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
“I want to congratulate all the athletes on their selection. It is a significant milestone in their careers, and a proud moment for them, their coaches and support teams, family and friends.
“Focus now turns to making sure they are prepared for that start line in Sapporo, so we will be supporting the athletes to achieve their goals at the Games.”
