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Blackheath & Bromley Harriers well represented as Kent athletes selected for European Championships in Germany

17:54, 29 July 2022

updated: 18:26, 29 July 2022

Kent athletes are among those to have been named for the European Championships next month.

Despite withdrawing this week through injury from the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Orpington sprinter Dina Asher-Smith still hopes to be fit to compete in Germany.

Orpington's Dina Asher-Smith will try to bounce back from Commonwealth Games disappointment at the European Championships. Picture: Steph Chambers/Getty Images, courtesy of British Athletics
Orpington's Dina Asher-Smith will try to bounce back from Commonwealth Games disappointment at the European Championships. Picture: Steph Chambers/Getty Images, courtesy of British Athletics

The 26-year-old will look to defend her European 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay titles in Munich after her 200m world bronze in Oregon.

Dartford sprinter Adam Gemili, one of Asher-Smith’s Blackheath & Bromley Harriers club-mate, isn’t named in the British 100m or 200m sides but does earn a spot in the 4x100m relay team among the 115-strong squad.

Other Blackheath and Bromley Harriers set to be involved will be Bekah Walton in the javelin and Divine Oladipo in the shot put, along with long jumper Jahisha Thomas.

Tonbridge's Tom Bosworth, who recently announced his retirement from athletics at the end of the season, will take part in the 20k race walk as he bids to sign off in style.

In the men’s 1500m race, meanwhile, Sturry's Invicta East Kent runner Matt Stonier has earned a place while he currently continues his preparations to make his Commonwealth Games bow.

Sturry's Matt Stonier, pictured in 2020, will continue a memorable summer at the European Championships. Picture: Alan Langley
Sturry's Matt Stonier, pictured in 2020, will continue a memorable summer at the European Championships. Picture: Alan Langley

“After a very successful World Athletics Championships for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team where we finished as the top European country in the placings table, we are really pleased to be taking such a strong team to Munich and giving a number of athletes a key development opportunity on the major stage,” Olympic head coach Christian Malcolm told the British Athletics website.

“Several world medallists and finalists have been selected, while many others have stepped up this summer and are earning their first GB & NI vest on the European stage.

“This is one of the largest squads we have ever taken to a European Championships, and we are really looking forward to taking on the best on the continent next month.”

Due to the congested nature of the summer season with three senior championships back-to-back, some athletes who had qualified by entry standard didn't wish to be considered for European selection including Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Josh Kerr, Tade Ojora and Joshua Zeller.

The championships will take place from August 15 until August 21.

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