British Athletics announce World Class Programme for 2018/19

British Athletics has announced a total of 114 athletes will receive funding from their World Class Programme 2018-19 with the aim of delivering success at the Tokyo 2020 or Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Fourteen athletes, including 5,000m and 10,000m Olympic gold medal winner in Rio, Mo Farah, have been selected for the highest funding bracket in a list that also includes young track stars, Dina Asher-Smith and Zharnel Hughes.

Morgan Lake, Lorraine Ugen and Holly Bradshaw have all been included in the top tier to represent Britain's field-event prospects.

European bronze medallists from Berlin, Shara Proctor and Laura Weightman have been included in the Olympic podium potential bracket along with Commonwealth bronze medallist from the Gold Coast, Melissa Courtney and five more newcomers.

European 4x100m relay gold medallist in Berlin, Bianca Williams and double bronze medallist from the World Junior Championships in Finland, Kristal Awuah are two of four athletes to join the programme at Olympic relay level.

At Paralympic Podium level, David Devine is rewarded for his European title while there are five additions at Paralympic podium potential all of whom medalled in Berlin, including champions Harri Jenkins and Thomas Young.

British Athletics performance director Neil Black said: "The past 12 months have been filled with vital competitions as we head towards Tokyo 2020 and a whole host of athletes have risen to the challenge and demonstrated their quality when it matters most.

"The 114 athletes being offered membership onto the World Class Programme for 2018-19 reflects the great amount of strength we possess building towards Tokyo 2020 and beyond that towards Paris 2024.

"Mo has had a fantastic first year concentrating on road racing as we knew he would. His performances in London and Chicago were what we expected of a truly world class athlete.

"We will continue to support Mo in his ambitions and we look forward to potentially welcoming him onto the British team for the IAAF World Championships in 2019 as part of his preparations for the marathon at Tokyo 2020."

Sportsbeat 2018