Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu (Newham & Essex) has been awarded the captaincy of the Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland Team for this weekend’s European Team Championships in Leiria, Portugal.

This is the inaugural staging of the event, replacing the European Cup, which saw GB & NI win the men’s competition in its final staging in Annecy, France last year, whilst the women placed third.

This year, the men’s and women’s teams will be united, 12 rather than 8 countries will take part, there will be less attempts for field athletes and a “devil take the hindmost” format for long-distance races.

Christine Ohuruogu said: “I am truly honoured that I have been asked to captain the Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland Team for the inaugural European Team Championships.

"I want to play my part on the track, but if I can help others perform at their best with a little bit of encouragement or a little bit of advice, that will be just as important for the team.”