09 August 2013

British Athletics Performance Director Neil Black believes that the GB & NI team is in good shape for the IAAF World Championships, which begin in Moscow tomorrow.

Following a successful training camp in Barcelona, Black is confident that the 61 British athletes will perform to the best of their ability in the Russian capital.

“We had a really positive camp in Barcelona, very focussed and targeted with coaches and athletes working really well together. We’re now carrying that focus into Moscow.

“There are people in the team who are young and developing, right through to the most experienced athletes that have won medals at every championship. Everybody in the team is taking the approach that they want to give their absolute best performance so that there is nothing else they haven’t done.”

Christine Ohuruogu (coach: Lloyd Cowan) will captain the GB & NI team as she looks to regain the 400m world title that she won in Osaka in 2007 and add to her medal collection which includes Olympic gold and silver won in 2008 and 2012.

Ohuruogu, who ran a time of 50.00 to take victory at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games last month, admits to being honoured at being asked to captain the GB & NI team for the first time.

“I’m completely honoured to be team captain, it’s a title that I’ve never had on this big stage before and it’s quite humbling to be selected to lead the team out. We’ve got a really well enabled team to go out and do the job – if we commit to our individual targets then we’ll be a successful team.”

Meanwhile, the 29 year old says that she is not looking beyond the first round of her event, which takes place tomorrow.

“Right now I’m just looking forward to tomorrow – the rest will deal with itself. Tomorrow I just want to make sure I go out there and run a good heat and then I’ll deal with the final when I get there.”

GB & NI’s two reigning world champions will bid to retain their titles in Moscow this week. Mo Farah (Alberto Salazar) gets his World Championship campaign underway tomorrow as he attempts to better the 10,000m silver he won in Daegu two years ago, before attempting to become the first British athlete to successfully defend a world title when he takes to the track in the 5,000m a few days later.

Dai Greene (Malcolm Arnold), who also won gold in 2011, will line up in the 400m hurdles heats on Monday alongside fellow Brit and European champion Rhys Williams (Adrian Thomas).