Olympic 1,500m bronze medalist Georgia Bell is among five athletes who will be added to British athletics’ top tier of funding for next year’s World Championships in Tokyo.
Bell, 31, achieved a fairytale podium in his Olympic debut in Paris 2024 three years after returning to the sport, and has since left his job in cybersecurity to devote himself full-time to athletics.
Joining Bell for be promoted to the highest level of funding.
A total of 65 athletes will receive financial support from UKA – against 67 the previous year.
Known as the “World Class Program,” selected athletes are divided into four tiers based on their past results and potential performances at the next two Olympic Games.
Britain won 10 athletics medals at Paris 2024 – the highest number at an Olympic Games in 40 years.
Rising stars Louie Hinchliffe and Phoebe Gill were both added after breakout seasons.
But pole vaulter Holly Bradshaw, Olympic bronze medalist in Tokyo, and long-distance runner Eilish McColgan are among the athletes who missed their chance.
Who will receive UKA funding?
Olympic podium (21):
Amber Anning, Dina Asher-Smith, Georgia Bell, Max Burgin, Emile Cairess, Molly Caudery, Jacob Fincham-Dukes, 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 (11):
Melissa Courtney-Bryant, Charlie Dobson, Neil Gourley, Naomi Metzger, George Mills, Jade O’Dowda, Tade Ojora, Aimee Pratt, Anna Purchase, Marc Scott, Jessica Warner-Judd.
Olympic relays (22):
Eugene Amo-Dadzie, Jeremiah Azu, Joe Brier, Lewis Davey, Jona Efoloko, Toby Harries, Alex Haydock-Wilson, Desiree Henry, Louie Hinchliffe, Amy Hunt, Hannah Kelly, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Rio Mitcham, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, Laviai Nielsen, Lina Nielsen, Victoria Ohuruogu, Asha Philip, Ama Pipi, Sam Reardon, Bianca Williams, Nicole Yeargin.
Olympic confirmation (10):
Alastair Chalmers, Phoebe Gill, Romell Glave, Megan Keith, Mahamed Mahamed, Jake Norris, Charlotte Payne, Calli Hauger-Thackery, Revee Walcott-Nolan, Joshua Zeller.
Confirmation of the Olympic relay (1):
Yemi Mary John
