19 May 2008

The British Olympic Association (BOA) today selected athletics endurance members of Team GB for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The athletes are:

Women’s Marathon

Paula Radcliffe (Bedford & County) , Mara Yamauchi (Harrow AC), Liz Yelling (Bedford & County)

Men’s Marathon

Dan Robinson (Stoud & District AC)

Women’s 20K Walk

Johanna Jackson (Redcar Race Walking Club)

Commenting on their selection:

Mara Yamauchi said: “I am delighted to be selected for Team GB to run the marathon in Beijing. This will be my first Olympics and I am really looking forward to the challenge. My training has been going well so I hope I can perform at my very best and deliver something special on race day. Having run the marathon test event in April and seen the course, I feel confident that my preparations are on track.

"I am lucky to receive a lot of support from many people and organisations, and without this support I wouldn’t be going to Beijing. Now I can look forward to racing and producing a result that they and I can be proud of. It’s exciting to be part of such a strong women’s marathon team, which shows we are making big strides in marathon running in the UK.”

Dan Robinson said: “It feels great to be selected for my second Olympic Games, the culmination of four years hard work and the fulfilment of my ambitions.  Athens was my first major championship and was a great thrill, but since then I have run in all the major championships and have gained some great experience which will stand me in good stead for Beijing.

"The World Championships in Osaka last year were run in very hot and humid conditions, similar to what I think we’ll find in Beijing, things went well there so I’ll follow a similar build up and head out to Macau around 3 weeks before the race to get fully acclimatised.”

Simon Clegg, Team GB 2008 Chef de Mission, said:

“I am delighted to welcome these athletes into Team GB.  We clearly have a very strong squad here with high aspirations and I am sure that they will be looking to build upon their recent performances, particularly Mara. I wish them well in their final preparations for the Olympic Games.”

Dave Collins, UK Athletics Team Leader for the Beijing 2008 Olympics, said:

"It gives me great pleasure to name the first five athletes who will represent their country in Beijing. The strength and depth of women’s endurance events in the UK is reflected in our strong team and to see Johanna start the season by setting a new UK record at the Australian 20k Championships, shows significant progress over a short space of time.

"Dan, I’m sure, will be looking to build on his excellent performance at the World Championships in similar conditions in Osaka last year. I wish all five athletes the very best for a successful Olympics."

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will take place from 8 to 24 August

All interview requests for the athletes should go through Emma Pickles, UK Athletics Media Officer on T: 0121 713 8405 / M:07920 078 543.