Three facts you may not know about the British athletics squad heading to the 2023 European Team Championships

A former NFL player, a married couple transitioning from competitors to coaches, and a devastating twin diagnosis are just some of the more unusual back stories of the British Athletics squad headed to the European team championships taking place in Silesia, Poland from 23-25 June.

A plethora of high-calibre athletes from Olympic medallist Imani-Lara Lansiquot, world relay medallist Richard Kilty and 2022 European medallists, Alex Haydock-Wilson and Jeremiah Azu, will be taking part in the first division match in which GB and Northern Ireland compete against 15 other countries across three days of competition.

Below, Olympics.com explores some of the more unusual back stories.

Lawrence Okoye – from NFL to discus

Six years Lawrence Okoye spent in America’s premier football league, the NFL. The Brit had turned to the sport following a disappointing showing in the discus at his home Games at London 2012 at which he’d been expected to medal.

A last-place finish in the final had the former rugby player considering his options, which also included heading to Oxford University to study law. But more frustration followed when, despite being signed by the San Francisco 49ers NFL team, he never made the field of play.

A return to discus followed but three foul throws in qualifying at Tokyo 2020 meant the British record holder will be hoping it’s third time lucky should he make Paris 2024.  

READ: How time in the NFL helped discus king Lawrence Okoye edge towards Tokyo 2020 qualification

The Rooneys – Martyn and Kate pass on their knowledge to next gen

Martyn Rooney and Kate Dennison, now Rooney, have been part of the British Athletics set up since the mid-2000s, with both competing in their first Games, at Beijing 2008 in their specialist disciplines – the 400m/4x100m relay and pole vault, respectively.

Martyn won Olympic bronze in the relay in Beijing and is a three-time world medallist in the team event. He is also a two-time European champion in the individual discipline.

Kate, a two-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, is the former British record holder in pole vault, only surpassed by now Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist, Holly Bradshaw.

The now Mr and Mrs Rooney are part of the British Athletics troop heading to the European Championships as relay and pole vault coaches, respectively, with their combined considerable experience a big advantage for the team.

Lina and Laviai Nielsen – twin strength through adversity

Lina Nielsen, a 400m hurdler, was the first to be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis – a lifelong condition that affects the brain and spinal cord and which can cause problems with vision, movement and balance. Showing symptoms from aged 13, Lina was only diagnosed at 18, but didn’t tell sister, Laviai, a 400m specalist, knowing that as a twin, her only sibling would likely have to manage the condition herself.

Sure enough Laviai was diagnosed in 2022, but the early treatment meant less severe symptoms than Lina, but together the pair manage not only the physical aspect but the mental challenges, supporting each other along the way.

Next up, Lina will compete in the notoriously energy sapping 400m hurdles event at the 2023 European team championships, with the duo also selected for the mixed 4x400m relay.

READ: Laviai Nielsen: Five things to know about the top British 400m runner

Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the 2023 European Team Championships in Silesia, Poland on the 23-25 June

Women

100m: Imani-Lara Lansiquot 

200m: Bianca Williams 

400m: Ama Pipi 

800m: Issy Boffey 

1500m: Ellie Baker 

5000m: Hannah Nuttall 

100m Hurdles: Abigail Pawlett 

400m Hurdles: Lina Nielsen 

3000m Steeplechase: Maisie Grice 

Long Jump: Lucy Hadaway 

Triple Jump: Georgina Forde-Wells 

High Jump: Laura Zialor 

Pole Vault: Sophie Cook 

Shot Put: Sarah Omoregie 

Discus: Jade Lally 

Hammer: Charlotte Payne 

Javelin: Bekah Walton 

4x100m Relay: Alyson Bell, Amy Hunt, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Cassie-Ann Pemberton, Aleeya Sibbons and Bianca Williams

Men

100m: Jeremiah Azu

200m: Adam Clayton

400m: Alex Haydock-Wilson

800m: Ben Pattison

1500m: George Mills

5000m: Jonathan Davies

110m Hurdles: Josh Zeller

400m Hurdles: Seamus Derbyshire

3000m Steeplechase: Zak Seddon

Long Jump: Jack Roach

Triple Jump: Jude Bright-Davies

High Jump: William Grimsey

Pole Vault: Adam Hague

Shot Put: Scott Lincoln

Discus: Lawrence Okoye

Hammer: Jake Norris

Javelin: Joe Dunderdale

4x100m Relay: Jeremiah Azu, Oliver Bromby, Adam Clayton, Richard Kilty and Tommy Ramdhan

Mixed

Mixed 4x400m Relay: Charlie Dobson, Alex Haydock-Wilson, Carys McAulay, Laviai Nielsen, Lina Nielsen, Ama Pipi and Brodie Young