NORTHALLERTON duo Marc Scott and Scott Lincoln have both been named in the Great Britain squad for this month’s World Indoor Athletics Championships in Belgrade.
The pair were both winners at the UK Indoor Championships in Birmingham last weekend, with Scott, who represents Richmond & Zetland Harriers, triumphing in the 3,000m and Lincoln, who is a member of the City of York club, claiming the British title in the shot putt.
Their performances secured their places on the 33-strong GB squad for the World Indoors, which was announced yesterday.
Scott, who competed in both the 5,000m and 10,000m at last summer’s Tokyo Olympics before claiming the elite men’s title at the Great North Run, has been in especially strong form during the current indoor season, setting a new European indoor record in the 5,000m.
Olympic head coach Christian Malcolm said: “We are pleased to have selected 33 athletes, so far, to represent the country at the World Athletics Indoor Championships.
“Those called-up have earned their vest and I know they’ll all represent their country with pride in Belgrade next month.
“We have a number of athletes who have really stepped up during this indoor season, setting a number of PBs and SBs, so it’ll be exciting to see how they translate that into the championship environment.
“It’s also great to see a number of athletes achieving their first senior vest too, so congratulations to the eight athletes who are gaining theirs for the first time.”
Keely Hodgkinson will double up in the 800m and 4x400m relay as she looks to continue her rapid development on the World stage.
The 19-year-old smashed Kelly Holmes’ national record to take 800m silver at last summer’s Tokyo Olympics, and will compete in the 800m in Belgrade as well as forming part of a 4x400m squad that also includes Jessie Knight, the athlete who beat her to the British title last weekend.
Hodgkinson joins 2018 World indoor 60m hurdles champion Andrew Pozzi on the GB squad, with Pozzi having secured his place with victory at the UK Indoors. British long jump champion Lorraine Ugen is also in the squad.
Hodgkinson finished second to Knight in the 400m in Birmingham after using the event to build up speed. Knight will compete in the individual 400m as well as the 4x400m relay at the championships in Belgrade which take place between March 18-20.
Ed Faulds, who recently broke the 400m European Under-20 record with a time of 46.16 seconds, is among the eight athletes that will be making their senior debuts.
Elliot Giles will take on a competitive men’s 800m line-up hoping to win a medal, while there will also be high hopes for female shot putter Sophie McKinna, who joins Lincoln in the squad for the field events.
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