2023-24 OLYMPIC FUTURES PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED

UK Athletics has announced the cohort of athletes on the Olympic Futures Programme for 2023/24.

The Programme – which is supported by Nike – is a key step in the pathway to support and add value to athlete and coach development with the ultimate aim of progressing to become a successful senior athlete, and transition onto the World Class Programme (WCP) in the next cycle.

The Programme works closely with the Home Country Athletics Federations with the focus on supporting aspects of the athletes / coaches Individual Athlete Plan (IAP). Through a series of camps, support staff, and experiences, the Pathway provides athletes with the opportunities to develop the skills and abilities required for senior international success.

Among those on the Programme for 2023-24 are Amy Hunt (Marco Airale, Charnwood) and Cassie-Ann Pemberton (Clarence Callender, Birchfield Harriers) – members of the gold medal winning 4x100m relay team at the European U23 Championships this summer – who are supported on the programme at transition for the relay.

Meanwhile, Ethan Hussey (Andrew Henderson, Leeds) graduates from academy to transition after another season of improvements which saw him win 800m silver at the Euro U23s in Espoo. Kenneth Ikeje (Basildon), 2023 NCAA hammer champion, joins the Futures Programme, while Success Eduan (Anita Richardson, Sale Harriers Manchester) is another athlete who joins the academy for the first time following her bronze medal success over 200m at the European U20 Championships this year. Euro U20 100m champion Joy Eze (Michael Donnelly, Gateshead) also remains on the Programme.

The Pathway has seen many successful graduates over the years, most recently including double world 800m silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson, as well as 2023 world 800m bronze medallists Amber Anning (4x400m relay) and Ben Pattison (800m).

Head of Performance Pathways, Dan Wagner said, “The Pathway continues to progress positively with many athletes either currently on the Programme or who have graduated, achieving success for GB & NI at age group and senior level over the last year.

“Athletes and coaches on the Programme are at different stages of their development, so it is fundamental to understand their plan & environment and identify additional areas of support that could add value along that journey.”

Olympic Futures Academy

Year 1

Michael Allison  (Thomas Dobbing, Windsor Slough Eton and Hounslow) [Javelin]

Success Eduan (Anita Richardson, Sale Harriers Manchester) [200m]

Shannon Flockhart (Mark Vile, Cambridge & Coleridge) [1500m]

Kenneth Ikeji (Basildon) [Hammer]

Megan Keith (Ross Cairns, Inverness) [5000m]

Emily Newnham (Nick Dakin, Shaftesbury Barnet) [400m Hurdles]

Zara Obamakinwa (Mark Chapman, Blackheath & Bromley) [Discus]

Renee Regis (BFT Track Academy) [100m]

Teddy Wilson (Marvin Rowe & Darren Braithwaite, Shaftesbury Barnet) [100m]

Year 2

Mia McIntosh (Jake Awe, Harrow) [100m Hurdles]

Jeriel Quainoo (Ryan Freckleton, Blackheath & Bromley) [200m]

Samuel Reardon (Nigel Stickings, Blackheath & Bromley) [800m]

Ella Rush (David Feeney, Amber Valley & Erewash) [Heptathlon]

Sophie  Walton (Trevor Williams, Horwich) [200m]

Nia Wedderburn-Goodison (Ryan Freckleton, Harrow) [100m]

Year 3

Sophie Ashurst  (Andrew Ashurst, Sale Harriers Manchester) [Pole Vault]

Charlie Carvell (Stewart Marshall, Telford AC) [400m]

Kane Elliott (William Sharp, Falkirk) [1500m]

Joy Eze (Michael Donnelly, Gateshead) [100m]

Edward Faulds (James Wright, Rugby & Northampton) [400m]

Toby Makoyawo (Peter Griffiths, Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow) [100m]

Henry McLuckie (Geoff Watkin, Shaftesbury Barnet) [1500m]

Abigail Pawlett (Ashley Bryant, Trafford) [Heptathlon]

Olympic Futures Transition

Joe Ferguson (Lewis Samuel, Sheffield & Dearne) [200m]

Katie Head (Newham & Essex Beagles) [Hammer]

Amy Hunt (Marco Airale, Charnwood) [4x100m Relay]

Ethan Hussey (Andrew Henderson, Leeds) [1500m]

Elise Thorner (Joe Franklin, Wells City) [3000m Steeplechase]

Abigail Ives (Luke Gunn, Basildon) [800m]

Jake Norris (Paul Dickenson, Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow) [Hammer]

Cassie-Ann Pemberton (Clarence Callender, Birchfield Harriers) [4x100m Relay]

Thomas Randolph (Craig Winrow, Tamworth) [800m]

Jodie Smith (Ashley Bryant, Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow) [Heptathlon]

Bekah Walton (Blackheath & Bromley) [Javelin]