World Indoor Championships: Hodgkinson leads GB squad

Keely Hodgkinson smiling on the track in her Great Britain athletics kit

Keely Hodgkinson headlines a 29-strong Great Britain team aiming for gold at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland later this month.

The Olympic champion arrives in Torun in formidable form, having smashed the women’s indoor 800m world record just four weeks ago.

While the 24-year-old is the clear favourite for the 800m title, she may also feature in the 4x400m relay squad after clocking a personal best of 51.49 seconds over the distance earlier in March.

The championships take place from 20 to 22 March, with comprehensive live coverage across the BBC.

Kerr and Asher-Smith targeting titles

Josh Kerr returns to the indoor circuit to contest the 3,000m, attempting to regain the crown he claimed in Glasgow two years ago.

The 2023 world outdoor champion adds significant experience to a team looking to build momentum ahead of the summer season.

In the sprints, Jeremiah Azu looks to defend his men’s 60m title.

British record holder Dina Asher-Smith makes her first appearance at this level since 2016, joining world 200m silver medallist Amy Hunt in the women’s 60m.

Middle distance strength in depth

Georgia Hunter Bell steps up to the 1500m alongside 2024 world indoor silver medallist Jemma Reekie.

Hunter Bell’s bronze from the previous championships is set to be upgraded following a doping ban for runner-up Diribe Welteji.

In the field events, pole vaulter Molly Caudery targets a return to the global podium following her victory in 2024.

Ben Pattison will also look to make an impact in the men’s 800m following his breakout world medal in 2023.

Selection caveats and absentees

The final composition of the British team remains fluid, with 15 athletes selected subject to their world ranking positions being confirmed by 11 March.

However, reigning world indoor 400m champion Amber Anning is a notable absentee.

The quarter-miler has opted to bypass the event to prioritize the upcoming outdoor season, which includes both the Commonwealth Games and the European Championships.

Great Britain squad

Men

60m: Jeremiah Azu, Jody Smith
800m: Ben Patterson
1500m: Jack Higgins, James McMurray*
3,000m: Josh Kerr*
Heptathlon: Lewis Church*
High jump: Joel Clarke Khan*
Pole vault: Owen Heard*
Shot put: Scott Lincoln*

Women

60m: Dina Asher-Smith, Amy Hunt
60m hurdles: Abigail Pawlett*, Emma Nwofor*
400m: Yemi Mary John, Louisa Stoney*
800m: Issy Boffey, Keely Hodgkinson
1500m: Georgia Hunter Bell, Jemma Reekie
3,000m: Hannah Nuttall, Katie Snowden*
Pentathlon: Abigail Pawlett*, Ellen Barber*
Pole vault: Molly Caudery*
Long jump: Molly Palmer*
Triple jump: Georgina Forde-Wells*
4x400m relay: Poppy Malik, Louisa Stoney, Tess McHugh, Jazmine Moss (plus individual entrants)