Eilidh Doyle looking forward to another home run as University-based athletes compete at London 2017
The London 2017 IAAF World Championships get under way today, with Eilidh Doyle – one of four University of Bath-based athletes in the GB team – looking forward to experiencing another unforgettable home run.
Doyle, who was voted as captain of the British Athletics team for London 2017 by her team-mates, will be appearing at her fifth World Championships while Emily Diamond, David King and Cameron Chalmers will all be making their event debuts at the Olympic Stadium over the next nine days.
They will all be roared on by the home crowd, something that Doyle – a Rio 2016 Olympic bronze-medallist with Diamond in the women’s 4x400m relay – has previously experienced at both London 2012 and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games (pictured).
“Our generation of athletes has been so lucky,” said 400m hurdler Doyle, who is coached by Brian Doyle at the Sports Training Village.
“I’ve had a home Olympics, a home Commonwealth Games, we’re going to have a home World Indoor Championships next year. To have the opportunity to go back to that iconic Olympic Stadium for a home World Championships is another really great opportunity.
“I don’t think people realise how much that home support helps – when you walk into the stadium and hear that home support shouting for you, it gives you that little bit extra. Everyone there is wanting you to do well.
“Looking back at London 2012, I feel like I have come such a long way since then so to be able to go back to that stadium and know I am faster and more experienced is really good for my confidence.
“This will be my fifth World Championships and I’ve had a great time at all of them. For each one you’re at a different stage of your career and a different stage of your fitness but it is always such an honour to get that selection.”
David King
Cameron ChalmersWhile 400m runner Diamond – coached remotely by Jared Deacon at the University – has senior global experience at Rio 2016, MJ Church ambassador King and Sports Performance student Chalmers will be making their first appearances at that level.
King, a Sports Performance graduate coached by James Hillier, booked his place in the team by being crowned as British Champion over the 110m hurdles at the trials in Birmingham in June.
“It’s still quite crazy to think I’m going to the World Championships and they are in London,” he said. “Apart from the Olympics, it is the championships that every athlete trains for and wants to be at. The aim is to get to at least the semi-finals, run as fast as I can and do myself proud.
“It’s been a long journey. I’ve been doing athletics really seriously now for five years, ever since I came to Bath, and every year I have progressed a little bit more and a little bit more.
“I’ve been working harder and harder each year with my coach and we’ve been doing a really good job together. It’s nice to finally see the results and it’s great for both of us.
“James has sacrificed so much for us as a group and we all really appreciate it. The fact I have been with him for five years now says it all about our relationship and when we get results like this it makes it all worthwhile.
“I feel like I am developing so much each year and there is still so much more development to come.”
Chalmers, supported by a Thompson Educational Trust Sports Scholarship, is also coached by Hillier and has been named in the men’s 4x400m relay squad along with Sports Performance graduate Jack Green.
Danny Talbot, who also studied Sports Performance at the University, will race in the 200m and the men’s 4x100m relay. The final of that will be Usain Bolt’s last-ever race.
Who to watch and when
Sunday, August 6
- 11.05am: Men’s 400m hurdles heats (Jack Green) – 5th, 49.55 (qualifies).
- 11.55am: Women’s 400m heats (Emily Diamond) – 5th, 52.20.
- 1.15pm: Men’s 110m hurdles heats (Dave King) – 8th, 13.67.
Monday, August 7
- 6.46pm: Men’s 200m heats (Danny Talbot) – 2nd, 20.16 (qualifies).
- 7.57pm: Women’s 400m hurdles heats (Eilidh Doyle) – 3rd, 55.49 (qualifies).
- 8.30pm: Men’s 400m hurdles semi-finals (Jack Green) – 4th, 49.93.
Tuesday, August 8
- 8.55pm: Women’s 400m hurdles semi-finals (Eilidh Doyle).
Wednesday, August 9
- 9.13pm: Men’s 200m semi-finals (Danny Talbot).
Thursday, August 10
- 9.35pm: Women’s 400m hurdles final (Eilidh Doyle).
- 9.50pm: Men’s 200m final (Danny Talbot).
Saturday, August 12
- 10.55am: Men’s 4x100m relay heats (Danny Talbot).
- 11.20am: Women’s 4x400m relay heats (Emily Diamond, Eilidh Doyle).
- 11.50am: Men’s 4x400m relay heats (Cameron Chalmers, Jack Green).
- 9.50pm: Men’s 4x100m relay final (Danny Talbot).
Sunday, August 13
- 8.55pm: Women’s 4x400m relay final (Emily Diamond, Eilidh Doyle).
- 9.15pm: Men’s 4x400m relay final (Cameron Chalmers, Jack Green).
