British titles are on the line in Manchester at the national championships this weekend, but there is an even bigger prize at stake for those competing – qualification for the Paris Olympics.
Away from the household names like Keely Hodgkinson, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Dina Asher-Smith, the British Championships at the Manchester Regional Arena represent the most pivotal moment of the season. Earn a podium spot and the qualifying standard and you could be selected for Paris. Fail to make the podium and get the time or distance you need, and you will have to start making alternative arrangements for the summer. A host of Yorkshire athletes will be seeking qualification.
Leeds’ Alex Bell, who thought she had missed the Olympics three years ago only to benefit from Laura Muir pulling out of the 800m to then make it to the final, needs 1m59.30s in a strong two-lap field. Her best this year is 1m59.55s. Wakefield’ Amy Eloise-Markovc needs 14m52s in the 5,000m and is 15 seconds shy of that this season. Leeds long-jumper Jacob Fincham-Dukes has the long jump standard of 8m27 from a meet in America last month and also finished fourth in the European Championships.
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