tokyo 2020 athletics spotlight

Back

The most celebrated global sporting event is finally upon us!

For the next three weeks, the best athletes from every corner of the world will be in Tokyo for the 2020 Olympic Games, and we can’t wait to watch Team GB succeed once again! Better still, a large number of GB athletes hail from Manchester and its surrounding boroughs. Demonstrating once again why Manchester is the UK’s ‘city of sport’. To celebrate their sporting achievements, we've put together a short spotlight in the lead up to the Games.

KEELY HODGKINSON

After a stunning 800m performance at the 2021 Muller British Championships, at just 19 years old Keely Hodgkinson will arrive in Tokyo as a bona fide medal contender. Greater Manchester’s Keely discussed after the race how ‘Every athlete’s aim is to make the final and mine will be the same going into Tokyo but it will be a challenge with the calibre of the athletes’. Keely has already become the youngest Briton to win a European Indoor gold medal at the 2021 European Indoor Championships, and we’re looking forward to seeing her continue that success in Tokyo.

CATCH KEELY IN THE WOMEN'S 800M HEATS ON 30 JULY FROM 09:55AM

AIMEE PRATT

After achieving an Olympic qualifying time on 27 May and securing second place at the Müller British Championships, Manchester and Diane Modahl Sports Foundation (DMSF) alumni Aimee Pratt is heading to Tokyo! Aimee showed remarkable pace at the Manchester Invitational on May 27, with Aimee leading the race throughout, narrowly missing out on the qualifying time for Tokyo. However, we are pleased to inform you that a personal best setting run the following week at the Huelva International in Spain proved enough to get her on the plane to Tokyo. We along with her coach Vicente and everyone at DMSF couldn’t be happier for her and look forward to cheering her on all the way.

CATCH AIMEE IN THE WOMEN'S 3000M STEEPLECHASE HEATS 1 AUGUST FROM 09:40AM

ABIGAIL IROZURU

Not much more has to be said about the current reigning British long-jump champion Abigail Irozuru. After a fantastic long-jump victory at the 2020 British Indoor Championships, we can’t wait to see at her first Olympic games in Tokyo.

Abigail, ‘born and bred’ in Manchester regularly competes with Sale Harriers and has herself stated ‘I'm going to make the most of every opportunity, this is what I train for!’. Success in Tokyo will undoubtedly complete her childhood dream and personal journey from ‘playground to podium’.

CATCH ABIGAIL IN WOMEN'S LONG JUMP QUALIFICATION ROUND ON 1 AUGUST FROM 09:50AM

JONA EFOLOKO

It was also wonderful to hear that another Sale Harriers Alumni recently secured his place on the plane to Tokyo. Team GB sprinter Jona Efoloko will compete in the Mens 4x100m relay. After a highly successful last few years following his gold medal at the World U20 Athletics Championships, we’re filled with confidence that he'll do well. See you there Jona.

CATCH JONA IN THE MEN'S 4X100M RELAY HEATS ON 5 AUGUST FROM 11:30AM

We’re so proud of what our local athletes have already achieved in the build up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. We realise and admire the dedication and discipline required for these athletes to take their seat on the plane.

The M.E.N have compiled a comprehensive list of Greater Manchester Team GB athletes to look out for at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics which you can view here. Make sure to take a look if you’re hungry to see the sheer wealth and breadth of talent we have in our wonderful city.

No matter the result, enjoy it!

On behalf of everyone at MCRactive, we would like to wish both the athletes mentioned above and all of Team GB the very best of luck at the Games. We can’t wait to watch and cheer you on all the way to the podium! Good luck!