Here is the list of athletes who UK Athletics are supporting in the hopes to succeed at upcoming Olympic Games
UK Athletics has announced 38 athletes selected for the 2024-25 Olympic Futures Programme, a key initiative designed to support rising stars in athletics.
The programme, supported by Nike and delivered in partnership with the home country athletics federations, provides opportunities for athletes to develop the skills and abilities required for international senior success.
It serves as a crucial stepping stone for young talent, helping them to transition on to the British Athletics’ World Class Programme, where they would have the benefit to receive National Lottery funding.
By being on the Future Programme, British Athletics have identified that athlete as having the potential to win medals at the Olympic Games in coming years.
Among the athletes on the 2024-25 Future Programme are several returning faces, including Charlie Carvell.
Carvell, who earned his first senior international vest at the 2024 European Championships, was initially selected for the Paris Olympic Games but had to withdraw due to injury.
Also remaining on the programme are Mia McIntosh, Nia Wedderburn-Goodison and Teddy Wilson, who all represented Great Britain at the World Under-20 Championships in Lima.
The new intake of 13 athletes includes notable figures such as world under-20 medallists Ed Bird, Charlotte Henrich and Jake Odey-Jordan, as well as European under-20 cross country champion Innes FitzGerald.
The programme has already helped launch the careers of athletes who have gone on to achieve major international success.
These include Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, European bronze medallist and world indoor pole vault champion Molly Caudery plus Olympic relay medallists Charlie Dobson and Amber Anning.
UKA Head of Performance Pathways, Dan Wagner, said: “It’s been great to see the progress and development of current and former Futures athletes and their coaches in recent years and we look forward to tracking this year’s cohort.
“The Futures Programme focuses on engaging and understanding athletes and coaches and supporting them on their unique journeys throughout different stages of their development, whether that’s achieving a personal best, a GB & NI junior debut, or stepping up to the senior ranks.
“While some have previously experienced the support of the Olympic World Class Programme, we understand that circumstances change and challenges happen. The aim for those athletes is obviously to progress back through the senior ranks. That’s why it’s fundamental for us to understand each athlete’s set up and plan, so that we can offer the tailored support they need to achieve their goals.”
A full list of the athletes are listed below:
Academy (retained)
Michael Allison (Thomas Dobbing, Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow); Success Eduan (Anita Richardson, Sale Harriers Manchester); Shannon Flockhart (Mark Vile, Cambridge & Coleridge); Kenny Ikeji (Fletcher Brooks, Basildon); Abigail Ives (Luke Gunn, Basildon); Mia McIntosh (Jake Awe, Harrow); Emily Newnham (Nicolas Dakin, Shaftesbury Barnet); Zara Obamakinwa (Mark Chapman, Blackheath & Bromley); Jeriel Quainoo (Ryan Freckleton, Blackheath & Bromley); Renee Regis (Clarence Callender, Shaftesbury Barnet); Ella Rush (Ryan Bailey, Amber Valley & Erewash); Nia Wedderburn-Goodison (Ryan Freckleton, Harrow); Teddy Wilson (Marvin Rowe, Shaftesbury Barnet)
Transition (retained)Sophie Ashurst (Kate Rooney, Sale Harriers Manchester); Alyson Bell (Anne Scott, Glasgow Jaguars); Charlie Carvell (Stewart Marshall, Telford AC); Kane Elliott (Tomas Lewandoski, Falkirk Victoria Harriers); Joe Ferguson (Richard Kilty, Sheffield & Dearne); Samantha Harrison (Rob Denmark, Mansfield); Ethan Hussey (Trevor Painter, Leeds City AC); Henry McLuckie (Terrence Mahon, Isle of Wight); Abigail Pawlett (Ashley Bryant, Trafford AC); Aleeya Sibbons (Coral Nourrice, Newham & Essex Beagles); Matthew Stonier (Sonia McGeorge, Invicta East Kent); Bekah Walton (Blackheath & Bromley)
New to the Futures Programme
Sammy Ball (Rafer Joseph, Reading AC); Will Barnicoat (Tim Eglen, Aldershot, Farnham & District); Edward Bird (Mark Pauley, Poole AC); Innes FitzGerald (Gavin Pavey, Exeter Harriers); Daniel Goriola (Tony Jarrett, Blackheath & Bromley); Charlotte Henrich (Nigel Stickings, Invicta East Kent); Ben Jefferies (Bristol & West); Ava Lloyd (Trevor Painter, Wigan & District); Sam Lunt (James Wright, Wirral); Jake Odey-Jordan (Victor Blackett); Eden Robinson (Christian North, Cardiff Archers); Jaden Smith (Shaftesbury Barnet); Gemma Tutton (Richard Pilling, Lewes)
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