Dunn: We will not settle for second best

GREAT BRITAIN’S 4x400 metres relay teams are determined to make statements of intent ahead of the Rio Olympics by landing gold at the European Championships in Amsterdam.

Both quartets ran European-leading times, despite not being at full strength, to breeze into their respective finals at the Dutch capital’s Olympic Stadium.

The women’s team of Eilidh Doyle, Margaret Adeoye, Kelly Massey (above) and Seren Bundy-Davies clocked 3mins, 26.42secs, while the men’s four of Rabah Yousif, Delano Williams (right), who ran a 44.8 split, Nigel Levine and Jarryd Dunn came home in a combined time of 3:01.63.

Britain won bronze in both events at the World Championships in Beijing last year and are ready for more success in Rio. “We’re here for gold,” said Dunn. “Why set your sights any lower?

“You’ve got to come out and run 45 low just to even make a relay team. That’s the sort of strength we have.”

The men can bring in two-time European champion Martyn Rooney and British champion Matthew Hudson-Smith, while the women can still call on British No1 Emily Diamond and two-time world champion Christine Ohuruogu.

Doyle, a medal contender in the 400m hurdles in Brazil, said: “We all need to argue for our spots on the team.

“In the last few years, I’ve probably felt quite secure but not this year. And that’s a good thing.” Robbie Grabarz and Chris Baker made equally light work of qualifying in the high jump, easily achieving the required mark of 2.25m.

Four years ago, Grabarz won European gold in Helsinki followed by Olympic bronze in London

He said: “It could really start tomorrow.”