A memorable World Championships: the lowdown on Team GB’s Hungarian success

With the Paris 2024 Olympics now less than 12 months away, the World Athletics Championships has revitalised Team GB. Britain failed to win an athletics gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for the first time since 1996.

However, following the conclusion of the week-long meet in Hungary, UK Athletics surely has the confidence to believe 2020 will remain an anomaly.

A jubilant British team left Budapest for a well-deserved rest before preparations begin for next summer, but did so amidst travel chaos across the UK. Nonetheless, more severe disruption would have been required to destroy the belief which had been built over the eight days in Hungary.

Three years after disappointment in Tokyo, there are several indications to suggest UK Athletics should be secure in avoiding a repeat.

The final medal tally left GB with 10 medals, comprised of: two golds, three silvers, and five bronzes, equalling Britain’s best performance at a World Athletics Championships.

Three years after disappointment in Tokyo, there are several indications to suggest UK Athletics should be secure in avoiding a repeat.

Britain’s first championship gold medal was delivered by Katarina Johnson-Thompson in the Women’s Heptathlon. Following several years of recurring injury woes, becoming world champion should give the Liverpudlian the belief to win her first Olympic medal in Paris.

Nevertheless, competition will be fiercer in 12 months’ time with Nafi Thiam, the Belgian two-time and reigning Olympic champion, returning from an achilles injury.

Although Johnson-Thompson winning gold was a shock, it was overshadowed by Josh Kerr winning the Men’s 1500m, defeating present Olympic champion and pre-race favourite: the Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen. Kerr’s race, culminating in an impressive final 200m, mirrored the approach of his teammate, Jake Wightman, just 12 months before. Back-to-back Men’s 1500m titles highlights the current British middle-distance running talent.

Keely Hodgkinson is another athlete who fits this billing. A precocious talent at 21 years old, she could only manage silver in Budapest, finishing behind the hugely gifted Kenyan, Mary Moraa, in the Women’s 800m. Following Hodgkinson’s development over recent years, which has included several high-profile medals, you would not bet against her taking gold in Paris.

Budapest was a resounding triumph, but more comprehensive judgements on the success of both UK Athletics and individual athletes will be reserved until the conclusion of next summer’s Olympic finals.

Elsewhere, Matthew Hudson-Smith fell agonisingly short in the Men’s 400m, missing out by 0.09 seconds on a world title. Zharnell Hughes took bronze in the Men’s 100m, although taking gold and defeating the dominant Noah Lyles in Paris appears a long shot. Ben Pattison took a surprise bronze medal in the Men’s 800m after a hugely impressive race.

There are several other athletes who did not medal in Budapest but who will believe they can take the step up and challenge for Olympic medals in Paris next summer. Laura Muir in the Women’s 1500m, Dina Asher-Smith in the Women’s 200m, and Morgan Lake in the Women’s high jump are the standout candidates.

UK Athletics once again boasts a plethora of talented athletes; medals in both individual and team events will be expected in 12 months following such a strong showing.

All in all, Budapest was a resounding triumph, but more comprehensive judgements on the success of both UK Athletics and individual athletes will be reserved until the conclusion of next summer’s Olympic finals. Securing an Olympic medal has been and always be the crowning jewel of an athlete’s career, as well as a key determinant for evaluating the UK Athletics programme.

Team GB needs to avoid a repeat of Tokyo and ensure there are several athletes returning with gold medals. Despite Budapest’s success, all will be quickly forgotten if Olympic golds once again evade GB in Paris.