Keely Hodgkinson and Dina Asher-Smith played pivotal roles as Great Britain’s track and field athletes prepared for the Paris 2024 Olympics at the European Athletics Championships in Rome. Hodgkinson, 22, triumphed in the 800m, retaining her title despite battling an illness. Asher-Smith secured her second gold by contributing to the women's 4x100m relay team's victory after winning the 100m gold.
Daryll Neita gained silver in the 200m, narrowly missing gold by one hundredth of a second, and later clinched a relay gold. Molly Caudery continued her positive form, winning pole vault bronze. Great Britain ranked third in the medal table, collecting four gold medals and 13 overall.
Regarding potential Olympic performances, Hodgkinson demonstrated resilience and control in her races, notably beating world champion Mary Moraa in Eugene. Asher-Smith appears rejuvenated after teaming with a new coach in Austin, Texas, paving her way to her first individual Olympic medal.
However, there are reservations regarding some athletes. Katarina Johnson-Thompson withdrew from the heptathlon due to a minor leg injury, casting doubts on her fitness for Paris. Additionally, Jemma Reekie and Eilish McColgan faced challenges: Reekie missed out on a medal in the 1500m, and McColgan did not complete the 10,000m due to injuries.
Standouts included Charlie Dobson, who captured silver in the men’s 400m, and new talents like Georgia Bell, George Mills, Romell Glave, and Megan Keith, all securing major medals.
Preparation for the Olympics continues, with some athletes skipping the championships to focus on training. The UK Championships at the end of June will serve as the Olympic trials, determining final selections for Team GB.