After running inside the qualification standard [2:08:04] at the Seville marathon earlier this month, Sesemann has been selected for the men’s race, while Purdue and Hauger-Thackery have earned their place in the women’s race after both running a time of 2:22:17 at separate marathons at the end of 2023.

All three athletes are set to compete at their first Olympic Games having represented their country at global and continental Championships previously.

The athletes are among the first members of the Team GB athletics squad to be announced. As per selection policy, any athlete who has planned to compete in a marathon after 19 February 2024 will only be considered for selection in round 3 on 22 April 2024.

Team GB Chef de Mission, Mark England, said, “It is great to welcome Charlotte, Calli and Phil to Team GB for Paris 2024. All three athletes are making their Olympic debuts, and I am sure they will relish the opportunity to run the unique and historic route that has been set by the Organising Committee.”

Olympic Head Coach at UK Athletics, Paula Dunn, said, “We are delighted to confirm the first three athletes in the athletics squad for Paris 2024. All three athletes have produced excellent results to earn selection for the Olympic Games, so congratulations to the athletes, their coaches and support networks.

“The focus is now on supporting their preparations and continuing to engage with them to add the most value, so they are in the best position for their marathons this summer.”

Women
Charlotte Purdue (Nic Bideau, Aldershot Farnham and District)
Calli Hauger-Thackery (Hallamshire)

Men
Phil Sesemann (Andrew Henderson, Leeds City)

With thanks to Team GB

For Thompson, who became a dad for the first time earlier in the week, it capped a whirlwind few days as he achieved a personal best time, completing the course in two hours, 10 minutes and 52 seconds, which doubled as an Olympic Games qualifying standard. Ben Connor, 28, also booked his seat on the plane after finishing second, having set the qualifying standard in 2020.

They will join Scotland’s Callum Hawkins, 28, who had previously earned pre-selection in December 2019 and demonstrated current form and fitness having acted as a pacemaker at Friday’s Trial.

Stephanie Davis, who ran her first marathon only three years ago, ran inside the qualifying standard in Valencia in 2019, and her performance at Kew Gardens will see her compete for Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the first time.

Jess Piasecki, 30, and Steph Twell, 31, will join Davis in the women’s marathon in Sapporo.

Piasecki clocked a time of two hours, 25 minutes and 28 seconds at the Florence marathon in 2019, while Twell clocked a marathon personal best of two hours, 26 minutes and 40 seconds in Frankfurt in the same year.

Kew Gardens also played host to the British Athletics 20km race walk trials which saw Tom Bosworth, 31, finish second to secure his qualification for Tokyo having already achieved the qualifying standard at the European Race Walking Cup in 2019 when he posted a time of one hour, 20 minutes and 53 seconds. Tokyo will be Bosworth’s second Olympic Games having finished sixth in 2016.

“It is a great privilege to be able to welcome the first seven members of the athletics squad for Tokyo into Team GB,” said Mark England, Team GB’s Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020.

“It was clear from watching the coverage of the qualifying event last week, and seeing the emotion felt by each athlete as they crossed the finish line, just how much this selection means to them. The hard work and dedication that goes into securing Olympic qualification is admirable, especially in a year that has come with so many challenges.

“I’d like to congratulate everyone on their fantastic achievements, and we look forward to welcoming them to Tokyo this summer.”

UK Athletics Performance Director and Team GB Athletics Team Leader for Tokyo 2020, Sara Symington, added: “We are really pleased to be announcing the first seven members of the athletics team for the Tokyo Olympic Games. I want to congratulate all the athletes on their selection. It is a significant milestone in their careers, and a proud moment for them, their coaches and support teams, family and friends.

“Focus now turns to making sure they are prepared for that start line in Sapporo, so we will be supporting the athletes to achieve their goals at the Games.”

Selection is subject to the appeals process, with the rest of the athletics team due to be announced over the coming months.

Marathon and race walk join canoeing, sailing, sport climbing, triathlon and shooting as the first sports to announce the athletes selected to Team GB for the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which will take place from 23 July to 8 August 2021.

Selected marathon athletes:

Stephanie Davis (Phillip Kissi; Clapham Chasers)
Jess Piasecki (Robert Hawkins; Stockport)
Steph Twell (Aldershot Farnham & District)
Ben Connor (Derby)
Callum Hawkins (Robert Hawkins; Kilbarchan)
Chris Thompson (Alan Storey; Aldershot Farnham & District)

Selected 20km race walk athletes:

Tom Bosworth (Andi Drake; Tonbridge)

Courtesy of British Athletics/Team GB