Biggest-ever Great Britain team named for European Championships

British Athletics today named a squad of 98 athletes for the Championships which take place in Amsterdam, Netherlands from July 6-10.

There are a number of big names in the team including 42-year-old reigning 10,000m champion Jo Pavey while Greg Rutherford (long jump), Martyn Rooney (400m) and Tiffany Porter (100m hurdles) are also looking to defend the titles they won two years ago in Zurich.

Reigning 200m champion Adam Gemili is included but switches his focus to the 100m while James Dasaoulu – gold medallist over the 100m two years ago – will only compete in the 4x100m relay.

Other medallists from Zurich 2014 include Jodie Williams, Andy Vernon, William Sharman while Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Matthew Hudson-Smith and Eilidh Doyle are selected in the relay squads having previously medalled individually.

Performance director for British Athletics Neil Black said: "We have picked our biggest and best team ever for the European Championships, and given everyone the best possible chance to put themselves in the frame for the Olympics in Rio.

"We expect every athlete to make their individual final, with many challenging for places on the podium.

"This is the biggest competition in Europe, with athletes desperate to compete and our strong team selection demonstrates the value we put on the competition, we aim to achieve great success.

"With the European Championships and Olympic Games scheduled so close together you have to take a sensible approach to selection and look at what is best for each athlete as an individual.

"With a firm focus towards Rio, we have liaised with athletes selected for the Olympics, and their coaches, before making a decision on selection.

"We believe for some athletes, such as Greg Rutherford, Dina Asher-Smith and Adam Gemili, competing in Amsterdam will benefit their performance in Rio, whilst for others, like Mo Farah, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Laura Muir for example, this competition was never part of the season plan."

Sportsbeat 2016