Hodgkinson & Asher-Smith in GB squad for Europeans

Hodgkinson & Asher-Smith in GB squad for EuropeansImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Keely Hodgkinson and Dina Asher-Smith are part of the GB squad for the European ChampionshipsByAdwaidh RajanBBC Sport journalistPublished3 minutes agoKeely Hodgkinson, Dina Asher-Smith and Katarina Johnson-Thompson have been named in Great Britain's 98-strong squad for the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.The trio were among a number of high-profile British athletes who skipped the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Olympic champion Hodgkinson (800m) and Asher-Smith (100m) will look to defend their European titles at Alexander Stadium next month, when Britain hosts the championships for the first time.Johnson-Thompson, who was forced to withdraw from the 2024 edition with an injury, will return to compete in the heptathlon, having claimed silver at the Paris Olympics.Birmingham-born Matt Hudson-Smith, the 400m Olympic silver medallist and a four-time European champion, will take part in the men's 400m at the venue where he has a stand named after him. Georgia Hunter Bell, a 2024 European silver medallist and world indoor champion, will compete in the women's 1500m alongside 2022 champion Laura Muir. The GB squad also includes former 1500m world champion Jake Wightman and world indoor 400m champion Amber Anning.Jake Heyward, who set a new one-mile Welsh record at the London Diamond League this month, is part of the squad but Scotland's Josh Kerr, who set a world record in the same race, has opted out."To compete at a major championship is always a tremendous achievement, and it makes the occasion even more special with the event taking place on home soil," said performance director Paula Dunn."This team reflects the strength and depth of talent we have across track and field, bringing together established international medallists alongside an exciting group of emerging athletes. "I have every confidence that this tea...