Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill gets set for first heptathlon since London 2012 and Jo Pavey will don the Great Britain vest for the first time since her European triumph. Here’s our review of the last 24 hours.
Olympic champion Jessica Ennis-Hill will look to set off on the road to Rio after confirming that she will compete in her first heptathlon since London 2012 in Gotzis.
The 29-year-old has recently returned from a prolonged absence after giving birth and struggling with an Achilles injury.
And after coming through without any issues Ennis-Hill is now looking to reach the 6,200 points needed to qualify for next summer’s Olympic Games.
“After competing in Loughborough at the weekend I felt pretty good the next day and my Achilles felt fine which is brilliant,” she said.
“The results I have had at the competitions over the past few weeks are promising and we believe it is feasible for me to do a full heptathlon and achieve the level of points I need to qualify for Rio.
“If I can achieve this early in the season it removes a real pressure, and all the indicators are looking positive, so I plan to go to Gotzis and give it my best shot.”
European champion Jo Pavey will represent Great Britain for the first time since she took 10,000m gold in Zurich 2014 when she heads to Chia next month.
The 41-year-old forms part of an eight-strong team that will compete in the European 10,000m Cup in Sardinia on June 6.
British Athletics’ Head of Endurance Barry Fudge said: “There were some really encouraging performances last weekend and I’m sure the eight athletes will equip themselves well for the challenge ahead in the European Cup.
“This is a great opportunity for distance runners to test their form and fitness at the early stage of the season ahead of another busy summer of championships. It is without doubt going to be a big test, but I’m confident that the performances shown by Jo [Pavey] last year will inspire the rest of the team to high placings in Chia.”
After a six-medal haul in London, Britain’s divers are gearing up for the penultimate leg of the FINA World Diving Series in Windsor, Canada this weekend.
The team has been in fine form so far this season and Canada will see Tom Daley in action in the 10m platform with Tonia Couch going in the same event for the women.
Couch will also be in action in the 10m synchro with Sarah Barrow while Jack Laugher and Chris Mears will take on the 3m synchro.
Laugher will also be looking to continue his fine individual form in the 3m springboard and Alicia Blagg and Rebecca Gallantree will be in action in the women’s 3m synchro.
After the trip to Canada the Series concludes with an expedition south to Mexico at the end of the month.
Great Britain hockey star Ashley Jackson says he is looking forward to a new challenge after announcing that he will join Holcombe after 12 years at Premier Division champions East Grinstead.
The 27-year-old won gold with Great Britain at the EuroHockey Championships in 2009 and took Commonwealth bronze last year.
“As of the 2015/2016 season and the foreseeable future, I will start a new venture with Holcombe as they embark on their first season in the English Premier League,” he said.
"I am looking forward to working with team-mates old and new at Holcombe, contributing to a new team in the Premier League whilst continuing my development as a player."
Dave Ryding will continue to lead the line on the slopes after British Ski and Snowboard named their Alpine Ski team for next season.
Ryding made waves with some strong performances last season and will be joined by four other men in the form of Jack Gower, Nick Moynihan, Jai Geyer and Roy Steudle.
Three women make the cut in the seniors with Alex Tilley, Charlie Guest and Cara Brown all selected.
Outside of the seniors there are a further 32 athletes that make up the under-21 and under-18 teams.
© Sportsbeat 2015