British Middle-Distance Runner Must Decide Between 800m and 1500m at Tokyo Olympics

Georgia Hunter Bell is on the cusp of a historic achievement, but a daunting decision looms ahead. The 31-year-old middle-distance runner is set to be selected for both the 800m and 1500m events in Britain’s world championships team, but she must now choose which event to prioritize.

Hunter Bell’s mentor, Kelly Holmes, was the last British athlete to attempt the double at a global championships in 2004, winning two Olympic gold medals. Hunter Bell, who has made an incredible comeback from a five-year hiatus from athletics, is the second-fastest woman in the world this year over 800m and fourth-fastest over 1500m.

The decision is not an easy one for Hunter Bell, who has spent the past fortnight on a training camp in Portugal with her training partner, Keely Hodgkinson, who has opted to skip the UK Championships this weekend to recover from injury. Hodgkinson, the Olympic gold medalist, is expected to return to action in Lausanne next month.

“We have asked to be selected for both,” confirmed Jenny Meadows, Hunter Bell’s coach. “Whether she does the double or not is another thing to be seen.” Meadows explained that if the 800m was first at the world championships, they would attempt the double, but with the 1500m going first, they might choose to focus on one event.

The 800m event has been Hunter Bell’s strongest this season, with victories in the Diamond League events in Stockholm and London. However, the 1500m is a more traditional event for her, and she has shown great form in the past few months. The decision will ultimately come down to which event she feels most confident about competing in.

Hunter Bell has one more Diamond League event in both distances to decide her fate. She will compete in the 1500m in Silesia on August 16 and the 800m in Lausanne on August 20. The final selection for the British team is on August 26, so she will have to make a decision after the 20th.

Hunter Bell’s decision will have a ripple effect on the team selection process. Laura Muir, the Olympic silver medalist, is also vying for a spot in the 1500m event. Muir has been recovering from a serious calf injury and has not missed a global 1500m final in a decade. She expressed her determination to make the team, saying, “I know I can run as fast as I need to. It’s just about getting there.”

The UK Championships in Birmingham this weekend will be a crucial test for many athletes, including Hunter Bell, who is expected to finish in the top two in the 800m event. The competition is fierce, with several athletes vying for a spot on the team. The outcome will be closely watched as the athletes prepare for the Tokyo Olympics.

In other events, several athletes are expected to make a strong showing. Molly Caudery, the former world indoor champion, will compete in the women’s pole vault, while Zharnel Hughes, the world medalist, will face off against Eugene Amo-Dadzie and Louie Hinchliffe in the men’s 100m event. Dina Asher-Smith, the former world champion, will be a strong contender in the women’s 200m event, while Amber Anning, the world indoor champion, is expected to dominate the women’s 400m event.