Young guns prepare to step up to the mark as legend Farah bows out
GB hopefuls ready to make their move on to podium Golden era ends with British legend’s departure
It was supposed to be a triumphant announcement, but social media rarely allows such things.
One response to news that Britain will take on the United States in a new head-to-head athletics competition next summer was particularly laced with sarcasm. “Less chance of finishing fourth I suppose,” said the Twitter wag. They had a point – no country experienced more fourthplace finishes at the London World Championships than the hosts, while only the US produced more finalists missing out on the podium.
The natural question is: was this a case of missed opportunities or a springboard for the future? After all, Britain has never managed so many top-eight athletes in the history of the World Championships.
“I know everybody wants medals, but there are so many people that have never finished a competition as highly as they have done – and they are 20 or 21,” said Dina Asher-Smith, fourth in the 200metres. “That bodes well, especially when those ahead of them are more experienced or reigning world or Olympic champions.”
The statistics support her case. None of the British athletes who finished fourth was over 25 and just three of the other dozen who made finals without winning a medal were over 26. If near-misses can provide the experience necessary to reach greater heights, there should be a glut of medal candidates at future global events. Which is handy, because Britain certainly needs it. After Jessica
Five events to watch in Birmingham
Ennis-Hill’s retirement, Mo Farah will experience an historic moment, imminently bringing the curtain down on his track career.
Today sees his last British appearance at the Birmingham Diamond League, before next week’s final track run-out in Zurich.
The duo have won nine of Britain’s 15 world titles over the past decade and – considering there was not a single other British individual medallist at London 2017 – a changing of the guard is vital to safeguarding the future of the sport in Britain.
Kyle Langford, 21, finished fourth in the 800m and insists transitional periods are natural in sport. “I think it’s a positive thing that so many people finished fourth,” he said. “I know the medal haul wasn’t massive, but it’s a young team and there are a lot of young people making finals, which is really good. It’s transition.”
Asher-Smith and Langford will hope to offer a glimpse into that future today, with Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake completing the trio of World Championship fourth-placers.
The London-born, Jamaican-raised, American-based sprinter not only finished fourth over 200m, but also anchored a British 4x100m team with an average age of 23.75 to gold. He maintains that experience can stand the current crop in good stead.
“There were some greats in that race – Yohan Blake, Justin Gatlin, Bolt, Coleman. The relay gold shows we’re on the cusp of something special,” he said. “What Jess and Mo did is what they did. It’s now our time to build our legacy and get our places in history.”
By 5pm, Farah will have graced a British track for the final time. He will perform his Mobot, take off his spikes and turn to the next generation. Let’s see who will step up.
The Müller Grand Prix Birmingham takes place today at the Alexander Stadium. Tickets available at venue. Info at