The European Championships in Amsterdam are closer and closer and all the countries are announcing their own teams. The Great Britain was among the first ones presenting its team, with the great absence of Mo Farah, who will save his energy for the Olympic Games.
The hopes of winning are all from the jumps, above all from the champion Greg Rutherford in the long jump, looking for the umpteenth golden medal to insert in his palmares. For the high jump, Robbie Grabarz and Chris Baker will compete against the Italians Tamberi e Fassinotti
As regards the women, Shara Proctor is one of the most favourite in the long jump where she will compete against Ivana Spanovic and the German Sosthene Moguenara who owns the WL.
Another European Champion is Martin Rooney, who fought until the last moment to participate in this Championships: he will do his best to award the title again so as to arrive at the Olympic Games with a good time and to surprise James, VanNikerk and Merrit.
The runners as well present themselves as candidates for the title: for the women, Dina Asher-Smith in 200 and Asha Philip in 100, while, for the men, Richard Kilty and Adam Gemili, who will try to run 100 instead of 200 where he surprised everyone 4 years ago in London; it was a pity for the injury but he will try to get even in Rio for sure. In the 100hs Tiffany Porter is on the blocks with the aim to do her best after a season with many up and down, in order to get closer to the American athletes in occasion of the Olympic meeting.
In 4×100, both male and female, the teams seem to be quite strong, with sprinters that won medals during the single proofs.The 4×400 male team, even though the absence of the favourite Rooney, is one of the favourites, while the female one will present Elidh Doyle, a specialist in 400hs, competing exclusively in the team event.
COMPLETE TEAM:
MEN
100m: James Ellington, Adam Gemili, Richard Kilty
200m: Danny Talbot, Nethaneel Mithchell-Blake, Zharnel Hughes
400m: Martyn Rooney , Jarryd Dunn
800m: Michael Rimmer, Jamie Webb, Elliot Giles
1500m: Jake Wightman, Lee Emanuel, Tom Lancashire
5000m: Jonathan Davies, Jonathan Taylor
10,000m: Andy Vernon, Dewi Griffiths
3000m steeple: Rob Mullett
110hs: Andy Pozzi, Lawrence Clarke, William Sharman
400hs: Jack Green, Rhys Williams, Tom Burton
High: Chris Baker, Robbie Grabarz
Pole vault: Luke Cutts
Long: Greg Rutherford, Dan Bramble
Triple: Nathan Douglas, Julian Reid
Hammer: Nick Miller, Chris Bennett, Mark Dry
Decathlon: Ashley Bryant
4x100m: James Ellington, Adam Gemili, Richard Kilty, Danny Talbot , Nethaneel Mithchell-Blake, Zharnel Hughes, Chijindu Ujah, James Dasaolu , Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Ojie Edoburun
4x400m: Jarryd Dunn, Jack Green, Rabah Yousif, Delano Williams, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Nigel Levine
Half Marathon: Callum Hawkins, Tsegai Tewedle, Derek Hawkins , Jonathan Hay, Matt Bond, Lee Merrien
WOMEN
100m: Asha Philip, Desiree Henry
200m: Dina Asher-Smith, Jodie Williams
400m: Anyika Onuora, Christie Ohuruogu
800m: Adelle Tracey, Alison Leonard, Jenny Meadows
1500m: Sarah McDonald, Melissa Courtney
5000m: Steph Twell, Laura Whittle, Eilish McColgan
10,000m: Kate Avery, Jessica Andrews, Jo Pavey
3000m steeple: Lennie Waite, Rosie Clarke
100mhs: Tiffany Porter, Serita Solomon, Lucy Hatton
High: Isobel Pooley
Long: Shara Proctor, Lorraine Ugen, Jazmin Sawyers
Triple: Laura Samuel
Shot Put: Rachel Wallader
Discus: Jade Lally
Hammer: Sophie Hitchon
Javelin: Goldie Sayers
Heptathlon: Morgan Lake
4x100m: Asha Philip, Desiree Henry, Dina Asher-Smith, Daryll Neita, Bianca Williams, Louise Bloor, Shannon Hylton
4x400m: Anyika Onuora, Seren Bundy-Davies, Emily Diamond, Eilidh Doyle, Perri Shakes-Drayton, Margaret Adeoye, Kelly Massey
Half Marathon: Alyson Dixon, Tina Muir, Charlotte Purdue, Gemma Steel, Lily Partridge, Jessica Coulson
In the photo: Greg Rutherford (Chiara Montesano/trackarena.com)