Keely Hodgkinson, Dina Asher-Smith, and Zharnel Hughes are among the 65 athletes nominated for the 2024/25 UK Athletics Olympic World Class Programme (WCP). This prestigious program aims to identify, develop, and support athletes with the potential to secure medals at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and other major global competitions. The WCP, funded by the National Lottery and overseen by UK Sport, plays a critical role in preparing athletes for the highest levels of competition.
The WCP is divided into several categories: Podium, Podium Potential, Relay, and Confirmation. These categories allow athletes to receive appropriate support based on their progress, with selection criteria focused on realistic medal potential and demonstrable performance. The program not only targets Los Angeles 2028 but also looks ahead to the 2032 Olympics, ensuring sustainable athletic development.
The Podium category highlights athletes most likely to achieve immediate medal success. Keely Hodgkinson, a rising middle-distance star, continues her upward trajectory in this category. Dina Asher-Smith, renowned for her achievements in sprinting, also stands among the Podium athletes, reinforcing her role as a cornerstone of British athletics. Sprinter Zharnel Hughes, after recent record-breaking performances, is another notable name, confirming the strength of Team GB’s sprinting squad heading into future Olympics.
The Olympic Podium Potential category features athletes who, while not yet at their peak, are seen as having strong future medal prospects. This pathway ensures that athletes are nurtured to progress steadily and develop the experience needed for high-pressure international competitions. Athletes like Neil Gourley, Charlie Dobson, and Jessica Warner-Judd exemplify this talent pool, poised to make significant strides over the next few years.
Relay events also receive dedicated attention, reflecting their strategic importance in international competitions. The WCP’s relay category emphasizes teamwork, precision, and depth within the sprint squads. Notable relay athletes include Jeremiah Azu, Victoria Ohuruogu, and Imani-Lara Lansiquot. These athletes have already demonstrated their abilities at various championships, and their presence in the WCP ensures further preparation for upcoming global relay events.
The Confirmation group highlights younger athletes and those transitioning into elite-level competition. They are closely monitored to assess their development, ensuring they meet the high standards required for long-term inclusion in the program. Athletes like Yemi Mary John and Alastair Chalmers are among those in the Confirmation categories, representing the next generation of British talent.
UK Athletics expressed gratitude for the continued support of UK Sport and the National Lottery. This backing enables athletes to focus entirely on their training and competition schedules, giving them the best chance to succeed on the world stage. Paula Dunn, UK Athletics Olympic Head Coach, emphasized the importance of this investment, noting that it helps athletes prepare thoroughly for the challenges ahead.
Dunn also acknowledged the athletes who were not selected for the WCP this time. She stressed that exclusion from the program does not signify the end of an athlete’s career but reflects the specific parameters required for selection. UK Athletics remains committed to supporting all athletes who represent Great Britain, regardless of their status within the WCP, and encourages those outside the program to continue striving toward their goals.
The philosophy underpinning the WCP aligns with UK Sport’s “Keep Winning and Win Well” mission, which emphasizes integrity, fairness, and success achieved through honorable means. This focus ensures that athletes pursue excellence while maintaining ethical standards, reinforcing British athletics’ commitment to clean and respectful competition.
The full list of athletes across each category includes a diverse group, showcasing depth across multiple disciplines. The Podium category features elite performers like Hodgkinson, Asher-Smith, and Laura Muir, while the Podium Potential group includes rising stars such as Marc Scott and Melissa Courtney-Bryant. The Relay category spans both experienced and emerging athletes, creating a balanced team ready for international success. The Confirmation group adds further promise, with young athletes like Phoebe Gill and Romell Glave showing immense potential.
Below is a breakdown of the athletes in each WCP category:
Olympic Podium (21 athletes)
- Amber Anning (Brighton & Hove)
- Dina Asher-Smith (Blackheath and Bromley)
- Georgia Bell (Belgrave Harriers)
- Max Burgin (Halifax Harriers)
- Emile Cairess (Leeds City)
- Molly Caudery (Thames Valley)
- Jacob Fincham-Dukes (Leeds City)
- Keely Hodgkinson (Leigh)
- Matthew Hudson-Smith (Birchfield)
- Zharnel Hughes (Shaftesbury Barnet)
- Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Liverpool)
- Josh Kerr (Edinburgh)
- Morgan Lake (Windsor, Slough, Eton, and Hounslow)
- Laura Muir (Dundee Hawkhill)
- Daryll Neita (Cambridge Harriers)
- Ben Pattison (Basingstoke and Mid Hants)
- Jemma Reekie (Kilbarchan)
- Jazmin Sawyers (City of Stoke)
- Cindy Sember (Woodford Green Essex Ladies)
- Katie Snowden (Herne Hill)
- Jake Wightman (Edinburgh)
Olympic Podium Potential (11 athletes)
- Melissa Courtney-Bryant (Poole)
- Charlie Dobson (Colchester)
- Neil Gourley (Giffnock North)
- Naomi Metzger (Trafford)
- George Mills (Brighton Phoenix)
- Jade O’Dowda (Newham and Essex Beagles)
- Tade Ojora (Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow)
- Aimee Pratt (Sale Harriers Manchester)
- Anna Purchase (Notts)
- Marc Scott (Richmond and Zetland)
- Jessica Warner-Judd (Blackburn)
Olympic Relays (22 athletes)
- Eugene Amo-Dadzie (Woodford Green Essex Ladies)
- Jeremiah Azu (Cardiff)
- Joe Brier (Swansea)
- Lewis Davey (Newham and Essex Beagles)
- Jona Efoloko (Sale Harriers Manchester)
- Toby Harries (Brighton Phoenix)
- Alex Haydock-Wilson (Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow)
- Desiree Henry (Enfield & Haringey)
- Louie Hinchliffe (Sheffield & Dearne)
- Amy Hunt (Charnwood)
- Hannah Kelly (Bolton)
- Imani-Lara Lansiquot (Sutton & District)
- Rio Mitcham (Birchfield Harriers)
- Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake (Newham and Essex Beagles)
- Laviai Nielsen (Enfield and Haringey)
- Lina Nielsen (Shaftesbury Barnet)
- Victoria Ohuruogu (Newham and Essex Beagles)
- Asha Philip (Newham and Essex Beagles)
- Ama Pipi (Enfield and Haringey)
- Sam Reardon (Blackheath and Bromley)
- Bianca Williams (Thames Valley)
- Nicole Yeargin (Pitreavie)
Olympic Confirmation (10 athletes)
- Alastair Chalmers (Guernsey)
- Phoebe Gill (St Albans)
- Romell Glave (Croydon)
- Megan Keith (Inverness)
- Mahamed Mahamed (Southampton)
- Jake Norris (Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow)
- Charlotte Payne (Reading)
- Calli Hauger-Thackery (Hallamshire)
- Revee Walcott-Nolan (Luton)
- Joshua Zeller (Bracknell AC)
Olympic Relay Confirmation (1 athlete)
- Yemi Mary John (Woodford Green Essex Ladies)
The UK Athletics World Class Programme continues to be a vital component of British sporting success, ensuring athletes are equipped to excel at future Olympic Games and beyond.
