Nine athletes selected for Commonwealth Games
Nine University of Bath-connected track and field athletes have today (Monday) been named in the England team for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Hurdlers Lawrence Clarke and Seb Rodger and 200m sprinter and Sports Performance graduate Danny Talbot headline the list which includes athletes coached by Malcolm Arnold, James Hillier and Dan Coussins.
Clarke is joined by William Sharman in the 110m hurdles in Glasgow. Clarke trains at the University’s £30 million Sports Training Village – a base also previously used by Sharman.
Seb Rodger will compete in the 400m hurdles alongside Richard Yates.
Jazmin Sawyer will contest the long jump and three athletes will be part of England’s relay squads: Sophie Papps and Andy Robertson in the 4 x 100m for women and men and Emily Diamond will race in the 4 x 400m for women.
French and Politics graduate Marilyn Okoro will race in the 800m.
The full England squad of 129 includes 42 athletes who have previous Commonwealth Games experience, four of whom are current or previous champions, as well as emerging talents who will be making their mark in the Games which begin on 23 July.
There are 127 athletes who have been named for the first time today, following their nomination by England Athletics, after two of the marathon selections were announced following the London Marathon.
Jan Paterson, Team England Chef de Mission, and a regular visitor to the Sports Training Village in her more accustomed TeamGB and Olympic Foundation roles said: “Athletics is our largest squad and I am delighted by the calibre of athletes that we see in this team, not just in the shape of Olympic, World and Commonwealth Champions but also young talent who can really make their mark in Glasgow and become international names in future years.
“They will have the privilege of competing in front of a huge crowd in Scotland’s national stadium, Hampden Park, which has been transformed for the Games, and will make it very special for each of them.”
Peter Stanley, Team Leader, said: “We are delighted to be taking a team to Glasgow that contains a combination of experienced athletes who have medalled at the highest levels of competition and athletes we believe are ready to make their mark at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
“Seeing the form already shown this summer by athletes in the squad has been tremendous and I look forward to seeing the athletes seizing the opportunities that the Games will bring.”
The full athletics squad can be found on the Team England website.
For further information contact the Team Bath press office at Matchtight Ltd on (01225) 384211 or press@matchtight.co.uk.
