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**RunUnlimited** · 22-02-23, 20:01

Originally posted by Runner88 View Post

GB track is in good shape and this team reflects that. Even without some major hitters like DAS, Wightman and a host of 800m guys, the strength is there and it’s proving itself on a global level.

Where this team really shows our weakness is in the field. Most worrying for me is that we aren’t seeing a whole lot of talented U23s and those around that age ready to break into the team. This champs has always been a good one to blood talent at a major champs but in the mens PV, HJ, TJ there was nobody anywhere near being selected this year.

If we take out the likes of Bradshaw, Metzger and McKinna from their events, the strength in depth behind them just isn’t there. There are LOADS of athletes that just haven’t competed indoors this year and I won’t draw too many conclusions as to what this means for the outdoors, but it’s not great that we have zero men’s field eventers in Istanbul

On the part that bolded, I have to say with Bradshaw, there is CWG silver medallist Molly Caudery, while Sophie Cook is on the cusp of getting beyond 4.50m, and behind them there are good U23s and U20's like Sophie Ashurst, Gemma Tutton and Jade Spencer-Smith coming through. Naomi Metzger is backed up by Jahisha Thomas, while 2021 EU20 finalist Temi Ojora is starting to show some of that form again this year. And as for Sophie McKinna, women's shot put has shown it's best strength in depth for years, with Strickler, Oladipo and Nicoll all setting PBs last year. Also, Serena Vincent continued her steady improvement, as shown in the UK Indoors last weekend.

So on that point, I think it's over-egging things a bit to suggest there is *no* strength in depth behind the leading lights of women's pole vault, triple jump and shot put.

I will agree however, that no male field eventers in Istanbul isn't a great look.

**Runner88** · 22-02-23, 23:51

All the athletes mentioned above could well one day be regulars in GB teams, but this indoor season the truth is we haven’t seen the field eventers kick on and even threaten to come near to selection standards.

Now I don’t expect to see us sending full compliments in all the events, no country is doing that, but gut feeling suggests this is one our thinnest teams being sent to the Euro indoors in some years.

Muir, Hodgkinson, Neita and a few others will make sure we leave with a respectable medal haul I’m sure.

**jjimbojames** · 23-02-23, 06:56

The selectors have pretty much taken everyone they could - if athletes don’t want to compete after a busy 2022, it’s not that surprising. Those who don’t like teams where athletes get selected but won’t final/medal should be happier, at least!

**RunUnlimited** · 23-02-23, 10:04

jjimbojames raises a great point. As much as some of us are disappointed by the lack of some athletes who probably would be in Istanbul, it must be remembered that we've come off a pretty unique year where many of the GB athletes competed at 3 major championships within the space of a month and a half (and also attended the WIC during the winter season too). It would be understandable if some of them decided to give this winter season a miss, or only did a few competitions without wanting to go to the EIC and focusing on the outdoor season this year.

**CAML** · 23-02-23, 10:43

The men's jumps are more of a concern than the throws. This indoors our Junior men have had 1 athlete over 15m in the TJ, 2 over 7m in the LJ, 1 over 2.10m in the HJ and no pole vaulters over 5m. There seems to be neither the numbers nor the talent coming through.

**philipo** · 23-02-23, 12:56

What is interesting to me, apart from the general depression about GB lack of quality and numbers in field events, is the awful standards in track in two large European countries, namely France and Germany. A mere handful of genuine elite on the track in the last few years. I wonder which european countries will excel this year. Some Italians,poles?, norwegians, swiss ,dutch, British hopefully.

**Ladyloz** · 23-02-23, 17:17

Germany had a pretty decent home Europeans last summer but rather underwhelming in Eugene.

And less than 18 Months out from a Home Olympics it still looks slim pickings for France.

**philipo** · 23-02-23, 22:23

German talent which under went the usual home town thing last year , ,as you rightly point out was poor at the WC. A rich country with a tradition of sports excellence in the past cannot produce male sprinters, consistent middle and long distance runners, no top quality hurdlers is a mystery. Mihambo, Klosterhalfen yes for sure; not much else convinces.So many sport clubs, not too much talent. Not even much to shout about with their national soccer team.

**carterhatch** · 26-02-23, 09:04

Originally posted by Occasional Hope View Post

.Ian Hodge reports a 50.68 for Amber Anning. An outright PB by almost a full second.

Following this welcome performance one does wonder what young Anning might have done at the Europeans. With a lot of British athletes based in the US, and some other very promising marks [Nicole Yeargin for example], as a thought exercise, what sort of British team could be cobbled together from states-based only athletes ...

**philipo** · 26-02-23, 11:18

Perhaps the super shoes are even better than acknowledged.

Announcement

2023 European Indoor Championships - British Team

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