1. At the inaugural World Championships in 1983, Irish great Eamonn Coghlan won gold in the 5000m.

2. Eleven athletes will represent Ireland at the World Championships in London 2017 – they are: Ciara Mageean, Mark English, Thomas Barr, Brian Gregan, Siofra Cleirigh-Buttne, Alex Wright, Brendan Boyce, Robert Heffernan, Mick Clohisey, Sean Heir and Claire McCarthy. (Paul Pollock misses out due to injury)

3. At the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, Ireland sent a team of sixteen athletes (including men’s 4x400m team).

4. In 1993 Sonia O’Sullivan won the silver medal in the 1,500m in Stuttgart.

5. At the 1995 World Championships in Gothenburg Sonia O’Sullivan then won her 2nd World Championships medal, this time gold in the 5,000m.

6. Ireland has won three race walking medals at the World Championships. Gillian O’Sullivan and Olive Loughnane picked up 20K silver medals in 2003 and 2009 respectively. In 2013 Rob Heffernan won Ireland’s first gold medal since Sonia O’Sullivan’s 5,000m gold.

7. Ireland has won six medals at all World Championships combined.

8. Ireland’s state broadcaster, RTE, will not be showing live coverage of this year’s World Championships. Live coverage options for Irish fans include BBC, Eurosport or the IAAF’s official live stream.

9. London 2017 will be Mark English’s third consecutive World Championships.

10. Rob Heffernan made his first World Championships appearance in 2001 and has gone on to compete in six World Championships. The World Championships in London will make it an impressive seventh for the 2013 world champion.

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Last month, the 22 year-old wrote an open letter to IAAF president Seb Coe asking for help in his bid to represent Ireland at the World Championships, but it was unsuccessful.

Following this, the sprinter made an appeal to the IAAF asking to compete in London under a neutral flag, but Reid has confirmed that appeal has also been unsuccessful.

Reid said: “The IAAF has turned down all requests and are unable to consider any possible situations enabling me to compete under either an Irish or a neutral flag.

“It is clear that there was a failure on the part of an individual to respond to an email despite it being received over a month before the IAAF international transfer embargo took effect.”

“This is what makes it so much harder for me. I have done everything in my power to enable my transfer to Ireland athletics since the 22nd June 2017,” he added.

Reid, who competed for Northern Ireland at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, had said he wanted to run for Ireland in honour of his Belfast born biological mother. Reid met the 200m qualifying standard for the World Championships at the recent British trials.

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Irish 1500m star Ciara Mageean leads the way along with fellow Olympian middle-distance runners Thomas Barr and Mark English.

400m runner Brian Gregan will make his return to a major championships and will hope to continue with his recent good form in the London Stadium.

Irish marathon runners, Mick Clohisey, Paul Pollock, Sean Heir and Claire McCarthy are also included in the Irish team and are joined by race walkers Robert Heffernan, Alex Wright and Brendan Boyce.

Brian Gregan, who has been in tremendous form in recent months said in a tweet: “Delighted to be picked for the World Championships in two weeks time. London 2017 the Irish are coming.”

Delighted to be picked for the World Championships in two weeks time. @London2017 the Irish are coming. https://t.co/lVmCwTTBzB

— Brian Gregan (@BrianGregan89) July 24, 2017

Speaking after winning his 7th consecutive Irish national title yesterday, Thomas Barr said: “It felt very good out there, it felt very good in training the last week – it’s coming together again and with these two races back to back it will put my stride pattern back in place”.

The World Championships in London take place from 4th – 13th August.

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The 400m hurdler was selected after a ballot by all 78 British teammates, including Mo Farah, Laura Muir and fellow Scottish athletes Eilish McColgan and Andrew Butchart.

Earlier this year, Doyle cemented her place in Scottish athletics history, by becoming the most decorated Scottish track and field athlete after a winning silver at the European Athletics Indoor Championships as part of the 4x400m GB team.

The Scottish athlete was an integral part of bronze medal winning 4x400m Britain team at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Doyle, who finished fourth at the recent Diamond League in Monaco, said: “It’s a huge honour to have been elected by my peers as the Team Captain for British Athletics at London 2017.

“To lead your team at a home World Championships is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and to have your teammates vote that they want you to do it, makes it even more special.”

Absolutely thrilled to have been voted Team Captain for the world championships. It’s such an honour and means so much to me! https://t.co/VvkRPTT0DX

— Eilidh Doyle (@EilidhDoyle) July 24, 2017

The IAAF World Championships will take place at the London Stadium, beginning on 4th August and will conclude on 13th August.

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The 22 year old, represented Northern Ireland three years ago at the Commonwealth Games, and has the qualifying time for the the World Championships, after running 20.38 in the 200m at the recent British trials.

Reid started the process of switching his allegiance to Ireland in January of this year, but it is yet to be formalised by all athletic parties involved. Athletics Ireland have been working hard to help the young sprinter make the World Championships, but with the deadline to formalise the switch only days away, the letter from Reid is his one last hope to represent Ireland next month in London.

Reid has long stated his desire to run for Ireland to honour his late biological mother, who was from Belfast, Northern Ireland.

In an excerpt from his letter to IAFF president Seb Coe, Reid said: “It has long been a dream of mine to one day compete for Ireland internationally — a decision which was ultimately made in honour of my mum who passed away last year.

“This dream became closer to a reality when I formally contacted Ireland on June 22nd 2016 to start the paperwork process. I spoke to Neil Black, Performance Director of British Athletics and he assured me British Athletics would not prevent this move.

“When an athlete moves from one country to another the new member federation (in this case Ireland) need to make a request to the current member federation (in this case British Athletics) to request confirmation on matters such as when the athlete last competed for GB and whether they would have any objections to the athlete moving.

“Ireland Athletics formally contacted British Athletics in January of this year after some contact and formalities had been concluded with the IAAF. This was done a month in advance of the transfer freeze kicking in.

“Despite having no issues with my transfer, this unfortunate failure by British Athletics in replying resulted in Ireland being powerless to push this transfer through with the IAAF.”

Reid’s was promoted to write his open letter to IAAF president Seb Coe after learning that 8 Russian athletes originally banned form the World Championships have been approved to compete.

The young sprinter has asked Seb Coe for compassion, and hopes he will look favourably at his case to enable him achieve his dreams of competing in London.

The open letter was tweeted last night, and can be seen below:

Open letter to the @iaaforg and @sebcoe.
Last ditch attempt to compete in @London2017 #London2017 #letleonrun pic.twitter.com/xGNZOc0DCT

— Leon Reid. (@LeonReid_Woody) July 20, 2017

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In what is expected to be his last track races, World Champion Mo Farah, will aim to defend his 5000m and 10,000m titles in London, going for an unprecedented fourth straight world title in the 5000m, and a hat-trick of 10,000m world titles.

Scottish star Laura Muir has been confirmed for both the 1500m and 5,000m.

Also announced for two events at the World Championships is Katarina Johnson-Thompson. The British high jump recorder holder will compete in the heptathlon and high jump.

Despite withdrawing from the Anniversary Games in London due to injury, reigning long jump world champion Greg Rutherford has also been named in the 78 strong GB team.

Sprinter Adam Gemili misses out on a 200m place, but has been selected in the 4x100m relay squad.

British Athletics Performance Director, Neil Black said: “This feels bigger for us than Rio. London 2017 is the major global sporting event this year and will be the biggest occasion the country has seen since 2012. We’ve selected some incredibly talented athletes, and in many events there have been some close calls. It’s now up to them to grasp this opportunity and produce performances that will make the whole nation proud.”

In the men’s marathon, Andrew Davies has replaced the injured Robbie Simpson.

The Great Britian team for the 2017 IAAF World Championships:

MEN:
100m:
Reece Prescod (Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo)
James Dasaolu (Lloyd Cowan)
CJ Ujah (Stuart McMillan)

200m:
Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake (Dennis Shaver)
Danny Talbot (Benke Blomkvist)
Zharnel Hughes (Patrick Dawson)

400m:
Matt Hudson-Smith (Tony Hadley)
Dwayne Cowan (Lloyd Cowan)
Martyn Rooney (Graham Hedman)

800m: 
Elliot Giles (Jon Bigg)
Guy Learmonth (Henry Gray)
Kyle Langford (Jon Bigg)

1500m:
Chris O’Hare (Terrence Mahon)
Josh Kerr (Joe Franklin)
Jake Wightman (Geoff Wightman)

5000m: 
Mo Farah (Alberto Salazar)
Andrew Butchart (Derek Easton)

10,000m:
Mo Farah (Alberto Salazar)

3000m steeplechase:
Rob Mullett (Andrew and Amy Begley)
Zak Seddon (Jeff Seddon)

110m hurdles: 
Andrew Pozzi (Benke Blomkvist)
David King (James Hillier)
David Omoregie (Benke Blomkvist)

400m hurdles:
Jack Green (self-coached)

High Jump: 
Robbie Grabarz (Fuzz Caan)

Long Jump: 
Greg Rutherford (Dan Pfaff)

Triple Jump:
Nathan Fox (Tosin Oke)

Hammer:
Nick Miller (Tore Gustafsson)

Decathlon:
Ashley Bryant (Aston Moore)

20km Race Walk:
Tom Bosworth (Andi Drake)
Callum Wilkinson (Andi Drake)

50km Race Walk:
Dominic King (George Nibre)

Marathon Men:
Callum Hawkins (coach: Robert Hawkins)
Josh Griffiths (self-coached)
Andrew Davies (Steve Vernon)

4x100m relay:
CJ Ujah (Stuart McMillan)
Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake (Dennis Shaver)
Danny Talbot (Benke Blomkvist)
Zharnel Hughes (Patrick Dawson)
Adam Gemili (Rana Reider)
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (Benke Blomkvist)
Richard Kilty (Kevin Kilty)
Reece Prescod (Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo)

4x400m relay:
Matt Hudson-Smith (Tony Hadley)
Dwayne Cowan (Lloyd Cowan)
Martyn Rooney (Graham Hedman)
Delano Williams (Neil Harrison)
Rabah Yousif (Carol Williams)
Jack Green (self-coached)
Cameron Chalmers (James Hillier)

WOMEN:
100m:
Asha Philip (Steve Fudge)
Daryll Neita (Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo)
Desiree Henry (Rana Reider)

200m:
Shannon Hylton (Ryan Freckleton)
Bianca Williams (Lloyd Cowan)
Dina Asher-Smith (John Blackie)

400m: 
Zoey Clark (Eddie McKenna)
Emily Diamond (Jared Deacon)
Anyika Onuora (Rana Reider)

800m:
Shelayna Oskan-Clarke (Jon Bigg)
Adelle Tracey (Craig Winrow)
Lynsey Sharp (Terrence Mahon)

1500m:
Laura Muir (Andy Young)
Laura Weightman (Steve Cram)
Jessica Judd (Mick Judd)
Sarah McDonald (David Harmer)

5000m:
Steph Twell (Mick Woods)
Eilish McColgan (Liz McColgan-Nuttall)
Laura Muir (Andy Young)

10,000m:
Beth Potter (Mick Woods)
Jessica Martin (Josep Carballude)
Charlotte Taylor (Helen Lehman-Winters)

3000m steeplechase:
Rosie Clarke (David Harmer)

100m hurdles:
Tiffany Porter (Jeff Porter)

400m hurdles:
Eilidh Doyle (Brian Doyle)

High Jump:
Morgan Lake (Fuzz Caan)
Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Bertrand Valcin)

Pole Vault:
Holly Bradshaw (Scott Simpson)

Long Jump:
Lorraine Ugen (Shawn Jackson)

Discus:
Jade Lally (Andrew Neal)

Hammer:
Sophie Hitchon (Tore Gustafsson)

Heptathlon:
Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Bertrand Valcin)

20km Race Walk:
Gemma Bridge (Mark Wall)
Bethan Davies (Andi Drake)

Marathon Women:
Alyson Dixon (self-coached)
Charlotte Purdue (Nic Bideau)
Tracy Barlow (Nick Anderson)

4x100m relay:
Asha Philip (Steve Fudge)
Daryll Neita (Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo)
Desiree Henry (Rana Reider)
Dina Asher-Smith (John Blackie)
Shannon Hylton (Ryan Frekleton)
Bianca Williams (Lloyd Cowan)
Corinne Humphreys (Darren Braithwaite)

4x400m:
Zoey Clark (Eddie McKenna)
Emily Diamond (Jared Deacon)
Anyika Onuora (Rana Reider)
Eilidh Doyle (Brian Doyle)
Laviai Nielsen (Frank Adams)
Perri Shakes-Drayton (Chris Zah)

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