15 March 2017

British Athletics today sent a strong signal of intent by selecting its first choice relay squads for the IAAF World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas on 22-23 April 2017.  Brimming with talent, the squads include nine Olympic relay medallists, 10 World Championship relay medallists and 15 European relay medallists.

Less than two weeks since becoming European Indoor champions, both Richard Kilty (Michael Khmel) and Asha Philip (Steve Fudge) make the sprint squads.  Amongst others selected alongside Kilty are Adam Gemili (Rana Reider) and Chijindu Ujah (Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo), with whom he won European 4x100m gold in Amsterdam in 2016.

Philip, who won Olympic bronze in the 4×100 last summer, is joined by her fellow Rio medallists Desiree Henry (Rana Reider) and Daryll Neita (Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo) – whilst fourth member Dina Asher-Smith (John Blackie) continues her rehab, so as to be in contention for the IAAF World Championships in London this August.

The women’s 4x400m squad sees the Olympic bronze medal winning quartet of Eilidh Doyle (Malcolm Arnold), Emily Diamond (Jared Deacon), Anyika Onuora (Rana Reider) and Christine Ohuruogu (Lloyd Cowan) – plus Kelly Massey (Stephen Ball) who ran in the qualifying round – reunited in competition for the first time since Rio.  In the men’s equivalent, the 2015 World Championship bronze medallists, Jarryd Dunn (Keith Holt), Martyn Rooney (Graham Hedman), Delano Williams (Neil Harrison) and Rabah Yousif (Carol Williams), are also selected.

Performance Director for British Athletics, Neil Black said: “We are taking these championships incredibly seriously, something we have shown by selecting our best possible teams.

“We really only have two competitive chances to test out our strike four relay teams ahead of the IAAF World Championships in London this summer – this April in Nassau and at the European Team Championships in June – so it was essential that all those who are fit made themselves available for selection.

“I am looking for the team to grasp this opportunity and make a big statement of intent in the Bahamas.  We have such strength and depth in our relay squads that our athletes should be desperate to make all British Athletics relay teams, and being available for selection at the World Relay Championships reflects that ambition.

“Whilst these championships offer the possibility to enter teams into other relay disciplines, our primary focus is firmly on the 4x100m and the 4x400m competitions – the events where we intend to be challenging for medals at London 2017.”

The British Athletics team for the IAAF World Relays:

Men’s squad

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (Benke Blomkvist)

Ojie Edoburun (Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo)

Adam Gemili (Rana Reider)

Zharnel Hughes (Glen Mills)

Richard Kilty (Michael Khmel)

Danny Talbot (Benke Blomkvist)

Chijindu Ujah (Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo)

4x400m

Theo Campbell (James Hillier)

Jarryd Dunn (Keith Holt)

Matthew Hudson-Smith (Tony Hadley)

Martyn Rooney (Graham Hedman)

Delano Williams (Neil Harrison)

Rabah Yousif (Carol Williams)

Women’s squad

Desiree Henry (Rana Reider)

Imani Lansiquot (Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo)

Daryll Neita (Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo)

Ashleigh Nelson (Michael Afilaka)

Asha Philip (Steve Fudge)

Jodie Williams (Ryan Freckleton)

4x400m

Eilidh Doyle (Malcolm Arnold)

Emily Diamond (Jared Deacon)

Kelly Massey (Stephen Ball)

Laviai Nielsen (Frank Adams)

Anyika Onuora (Rana Reider)

Christine Ohuruogu (Lloyd Cowan)