Relay stars qualify for Olympics

TWO former Loughborough College students, Richard Kilty and Matthew Hudson-Smith, have helped their relay teams qualify for this summer’s Paris Olympics.

Great Britain qualified for four of the five relay events at the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas.

The top two teams in each heat progressed to the final on day two while also securing Olympic places.

The women’s 4x100m team won their heat on the first day in Nassau, while the men’s 4x100m quartet plus both the 4x400m men’s and women’s teams all finished second in their heats to secure their places in Paris.

The men’s 4 x 100 team of Zharnel Hughes, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, Kilty and Eugene Amo-Dadzie were second behind France in their heat with a season’s best of 38.36s.

The men’s 4x400m team of Hudson-Smith, Toby Harries, Lee Thompson and Lewis Davey, who ran 3:02.10, finished behind Italy in their heat.

The women’s 4x100m team of Asha Philip, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Bianca Williams and Amy Hunt recorded a season’s best time of 42.33 seconds as they won the fourth heat.

They finished second fastest overall on day one behind the United States, who had won the first heat.

“That was incredible, it was my first time with these three girls,” said Hunt.

“They’ve been so absolutely amazing in trusting me and mentoring me and making sure I am on it.

“So, to get that baton and cross the line with the biggest smile on my face that was one of the most fun races I have ever done.

“We got here, we did our job, we executed so we’re super, super, happy.”

Kilty, 34, is a former world and double European champion indoors at 60 metres, and a European and Commonwealth champion in the 4x100m relay.

Hudson-Smith, 29, below, is the most decorated

British athlete in European Championships history with seven medals, including four golds.