Team England announces athletics squad for 2018 Commonwealth Games

Adam Gemili, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Greg Rutherford and Dina Asher-Smith are among the 75 names announced for Team England’s athletics squad for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The team, which consists of England’s top athletes, already has 18 Commonwealth medals and 46 Commonwealth Games appearances between them, while a number of the chosen athletes will be competing at their very first multi-sport Games.

Team England’s para-athletics team will also be selected at the end of the year.

Commonwealth 100m silver medallist and European 200m champion, Adam Gemili, said:

“It’s such a proud moment for me to be selected to compete at my second Commonwealth Games. Winning two silver medals in Glasgow 2014 was an incredible experience for me and I’m really excited to get back out there.

“The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games was a fantastic event. It was the first time I won a senior international medal so it’s great to be going back to where it all started. I’m looking forward to competing for Team England again and can’t wait to get out to Australia.”

British 100m and 200m record holder, Dina Asher-Smith, said:

“Being selected to compete for Team England is so special and having had an amazing experience at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2011 I’m excited to be racing on that stage again.

“I won two gold medals at that Youth Games and so adding a senior medal on the Gold Coast is now the goal.”

World and European indoor medallist, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, had to withdraw from Glasgow 2014 but is looking forward to her first Commonwealth Games. She said:

“It’s always a great feeling to represent your country on the international stage and I’m really excited to get to compete for Team England. Every international I do, I feel more prepared and each one motivates me more to be the best I can be.

 “I was so gutted to get an injury just before Glasgow 2014 and miss out so I’m really looking forward to competing at my first Commonwealth Games in Australia next year.”

Team England will send a team of around 600 athletes and staff in what will be England’s largest ever team to represent the nation in an overseas sporting event. The team will compete in 18 sports, including 38 para medal events.