Paris Olympics 2024: Charlotte Purdue, Calli Hauger-Thackery & Phil Sesemann named as Team GB's first three marathon athletes

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Charlotte Purdue finished fourth in the Kagawa Marugame International Half Marathon in February

Charlotte Purdue, Calli Hauger-Thackery and Phil Sesemann have been named as the first three marathon athletes to represent Team GB at the 2024 Olympics.

Purdue and Hauger-Thackery will feature in the women's race with Sesemann taking part in the men's event.

All three will make their Olympic debut at this summer's Games in Paris, which run between 26 July and 11 August.

"The focus is now on supporting their preparations," Paula Dunn, Olympic head coach at UK Athletics, said.

"All three athletes have produced excellent results to earn selection for the Olympic Games, so congratulations to the athletes, their coaches and support networks."

Purdue, 32, and Hauger-Thackery, 31, secured their spot on the team after both recording a time of two hours, 22 minutes and 17 seconds at separate marathons in 2023.

Sesemann, 31, ran the Seville marathon on 18 February in a time of two hours, eight minutes and four seconds, finishing inside the qualification standard.

Team GB Chef de Mission, Mark England, said: "It is great to welcome Charlotte, Calli and Phil to Team GB for Paris 2024.

"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."