Vernon gets Team GB spot for Olympics

Andy Vernon has been named in the Great Britain team for the Rio Olympics.
Andy Vernon.  Picture: Allan Hutchings (150265-438)Andy Vernon.  Picture: Allan Hutchings (150265-438)
Andy Vernon. Picture: Allan Hutchings (150265-438)

He was selected for the 10,000m alongside Mo Farah and Ross Millington.

It’s a great boost for the man who started his running career with Stubbington Green Runners.

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Vernon, from Fareham, had to miss the European Championships with a foot injury last week.

Team GB have named 80 track and field athletes who will compete at next month’s Olympics in Brazil.

Team GB chef de mission Mark England said: ‘Track and field is one of the showpiece sports of an Olympic Games and in these 80 athletes we have a team full of the ability, pedigree and experience to match the spectacle.

‘It’s great to welcome back the household names who lit up London 2012 but I’m also sure the country can look forward to new heroes emerging in the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro this summer.

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‘With well over 300 athletes now selected and just over three weeks to go until the start of the Games, Team GB, with an estimated 360 athletes in total, is shaping up to be the most talented team we’ve ever taken to an Olympic Games.’

The likes of Farah, Jess Ennis-Hill, Greg Rutherford and Christine Ohuruogu will spearhead the medal charge while Jo Pavey is set to compete in her fifth Olympic Games in the 10,000m.

There are also plenty of new athletes who are progressing well and will make their Olympic bows.

Athletics team leader Neil Black said: ‘I’m very excited by this group of athletes and what I think we can achieve in Rio.

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‘There’s a real blend of experience and exciting new talent, with the likes of Olympic gold medallists Mo, Jess, Greg and Christine, selected alongside those becoming Olympians for the first time, like Dina Asher-Smith, Chris Baker, Jazmin Sawyers and Elliot Giles.

‘This is the best prepared and arguably strongest team we have ever selected. We believe the world class level of performances this group can achieve will see us challenging for a number of places on the podium.’

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