Paris 2024 Olympics: Katarina Johnson-Thompson & Josh Kerr in UK Athletics' funding programme
- Published
World champions Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Josh Kerr are among the athletes who will receive the highest level of funding from UK Athletics going into next year's Olympic Games.
Ben Pattison has also been selected after a shock bronze in the 800m at this year's World Championships.
But Alex Bell, who finished seventh in the Olympic women's 800m final at Tokyo 2020, has been stripped of all funding.
In total, 67 athletes will receive financial support from UK Athletics.
Known as the 'World Class Programme', the selected athletes are split into four levels on the basis of previous results and potential performance at the next two Olympic Games - Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028.
To qualify for the funding, UK Athletics says it "must be confident that any athlete nominated has the realistic potential and demonstrable performance capability and capacity to make the necessary progress to achieve a medal at least in one of the next two Olympic Games".
As well as Pattison, middle-distance runner Katie Snowden, pole vaulter Molly Caudery and high jumper Morgan Lake have been promoted to the highest level of financial support after competing at the World Championships in Budapest.
However, there is no place for 110m hurdler Andrew Pozzi, Commonwealth hammer champion Nick Miller or sprinter Reece Prescod.
In August, Prescod - who has clocked 9.99 seconds in the 100m this season - accused UK Athletics of "emotional blackmail" after he pulled out of the relay squad at the World Championships.
Who has made the cut?
Olympic podium (17):
Dina Asher-Smith, Holly Bradshaw, Molly Caudery, Keely Hodgkinson, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Zharnel Hughes, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Josh Kerr, Morgan Lake, Laura Muir, Daryll Neita, Ben Pattison, Jemma Reekie, Jazmin Sawyers, Cindy Sember, Katie Snowden, Jake Wightman.
Olympic podium potential (19):
Lizzie Bird, Melissa Courtney-Bryant, Tom Gale, Elliot Giles, Neil Gourley, Jake Heyward, Jessie Knight, Eilish McColgan, Naomi Metzger, George Mills, Jade O'Dowda, Lawrence Okoye, Aimee Pratt, Anna Purchase, Charlotte Purdue, Daniel Rowden, Marc Scott, Jessica Warner-Judd, Callum Wilkinson.
Olympic relays (18):
Eugene Amo-Dadzie, Jeremiah Azu, Joe Brier, Lewis Davey, Charlie Dobson, Jona Efoloko, Adam Gemili, Alex Haydock-Wilson, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Rio Mitcham, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, Laviai Nielsen, Victoria Ohuruogu, Asha Philip, Ama Pipi, Bianca Williams, Jodie Williams, Nicole Yeargin.
Olympic confirmation level (13):
Amber Anning, Ellie Baker, Alyson Bell, Max Burgin, Emile Cairess, Lucy Hadaway, Samantha Harrison, Yemi Mary John, Charlotte Payne, Tade Ojora, Aleeya Sibbons, Matthew Stonier, Joshua Zeller.
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