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Getting to the point where we need to discuss relays.
Women’s
100m – Daryl Neita and Imani Lansiquot have both found good form and with DASHER, assured of course, who is likely to be the fourth member. I suspect for Asha Philip this might be the last time before she hands over the baton for good, some might argue for Kristal Awuah , but I am yet to be convinced, or might Amy Hunt, now that academic studies are finished for the year, make her claim, or Beth Dobbin on the curve? A couple of ‘relay funded’ athletes, Bianca Williams and Ashleigh Nelson, might compel the selectors to include them, or how about Desiree Henry returning from a long absence Get the line up right, and there is a medal to be had at Tokyo.
400m – A really positive start to the year for the ladies, with so many showing good form which can only be a plus for the relay. Too early to really say what the line up might be, and I feel it does rather depend on what the two involved in the NCAA have left in the tank, but a strong squad can do enough to qualify for the final and still allow Jodie Williams and Laviai Neilsen to try and go deep on the individual. A medal, probably bronze, is likely the best outcome possible.
Men’s
100m – Hmm... even if Prescod magics up a sub 10 he doesn’t seem to get involved in relays, but I could be wrong. CJ Ujah return to form is welcome, and I suspect Zarnel Hughes will be available for relays (see my note on 400), but NMB hasn’t been running, and Gemili’s hamstrings make me nervous... Francis, Kilty, Talbot are on relay funding but I wouldn’t be shocked if none of them get to Tokyo. I don’t think they are going to reach the heights of recent epic moments but some well drilled last minute practice might put them in the mix and you have to be in it to win it (though see my note on 400).
400m - UK Swimming aren’t taking a women’s 4 x200 freestyle relay team to Tokyo, despite having recently won the European title. UK Athletics might consider taking a similar approach, or, certainly forget the ‘funded’ relay athletes and adopt a radical ‘refresh’ with a team of ‘800m’ runners who miss out on trials ... only partly kidding. I would normally advocate taking a team of young runners for ‘experience’ but frankly, the standard is so poor it would mean taking 4 athletes for just one unremarkable qualifier. How about a team from those already there? MHS, although rarely has a good relay, but likely to be only one to make the individual, a hurdles runner, if any go, who is reasonable on the flat, a 200 runner, a la Regis, and an 800m a la Gary Cook, it would save the cost of four extra kits ...
Women’s
100m – Daryl Neita and Imani Lansiquot have both found good form and with DASHER, assured of course, who is likely to be the fourth member. I suspect for Asha Philip this might be the last time before she hands over the baton for good, some might argue for Kristal Awuah , but I am yet to be convinced, or might Amy Hunt, now that academic studies are finished for the year, make her claim, or Beth Dobbin on the curve? A couple of ‘relay funded’ athletes, Bianca Williams and Ashleigh Nelson, might compel the selectors to include them, or how about Desiree Henry returning from a long absence Get the line up right, and there is a medal to be had at Tokyo.
400m – A really positive start to the year for the ladies, with so many showing good form which can only be a plus for the relay. Too early to really say what the line up might be, and I feel it does rather depend on what the two involved in the NCAA have left in the tank, but a strong squad can do enough to qualify for the final and still allow Jodie Williams and Laviai Neilsen to try and go deep on the individual. A medal, probably bronze, is likely the best outcome possible.
Men’s
100m – Hmm... even if Prescod magics up a sub 10 he doesn’t seem to get involved in relays, but I could be wrong. CJ Ujah return to form is welcome, and I suspect Zarnel Hughes will be available for relays (see my note on 400), but NMB hasn’t been running, and Gemili’s hamstrings make me nervous... Francis, Kilty, Talbot are on relay funding but I wouldn’t be shocked if none of them get to Tokyo. I don’t think they are going to reach the heights of recent epic moments but some well drilled last minute practice might put them in the mix and you have to be in it to win it (though see my note on 400).
400m - UK Swimming aren’t taking a women’s 4 x200 freestyle relay team to Tokyo, despite having recently won the European title. UK Athletics might consider taking a similar approach, or, certainly forget the ‘funded’ relay athletes and adopt a radical ‘refresh’ with a team of ‘800m’ runners who miss out on trials ... only partly kidding. I would normally advocate taking a team of young runners for ‘experience’ but frankly, the standard is so poor it would mean taking 4 athletes for just one unremarkable qualifier. How about a team from those already there? MHS, although rarely has a good relay, but likely to be only one to make the individual, a hurdles runner, if any go, who is reasonable on the flat, a 200 runner, a la Regis, and an 800m a la Gary Cook, it would save the cost of four extra kits ...
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