Team GB name Charlotte Purdue, Calli Hauger-Thackery and Phil Sesemann as first marathon athletes for Olympics

Team GB announced on Wednesday that Charlotte Purdue, Calli Hauger-Thackery and Phil Sesemann have been selected for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris this summer.

They have become the first three marathon athletes selected to represent Team GB in the athletics squad for the upcoming Olympics in the French capital later this year.

Purdue, Hauger-Thackery and Sesemann will all be participating in their first Olympics having previously represented their country at various global competitions.

Sesemann qualified for the men’s race after finishing the Seville marathon with a time of 2:08:04 earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Purdue and Hauger-Thackery booked their places at Paris 2024 after they both ran a time of 2:22:17 at the end of last year.

“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 added: “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.”

Purdue has enjoyed a 14-year career on the international stage which has included becoming the British junior record holder over 10,000 metres.

Her qualifying time for the Olympics – which she achieved at the 2023 Berlin Marathon – was the second on the all-time British list only behind the iconic Paula Radcliffe.

Team-mate Hauger-Thackery produced the third-fastest marathon debut by a European athlete at the McKirdy Micro Marathon in New York.

Male runner Sesemann will complete a stunning journey when he competes in Paris after getting into the public eye by finishing above Sir Mo Farah in 10th at last year’s London Marathon.