Ohuruogu to skipper GB team
Christine Ohuruogu has been named captain of the British athletics team for next month's World Championships in Moscow, with Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford added to the line-up after proving his fitness.
Ohurougu, a former Olympic and world 400 metres champion, was selected for the role by performance director Neil Black.
The 29-year-old, who grew up in the Olympic borough of Newham, appears to have hit top form at the right time once again after winning the 400m at the Sainbury's Anniversary Games at the weekend.
The captaincy is particularly important to Ohuruogu because her 20-year-old sister Victoria is also in the squad for the 4x400m relay.
Ohuruogu said: "I am very proud to have been asked by Neil to be the team captain.
"When he called me up the other week, I thought I was in trouble. I am not normally someone who likes the spotlight, but this is a lovely feeling to be trusted in this role, and it's nice for myself and my coach Lloyd (Cowan) for the hard work we have put in over the years.
"Having Vicky on the team really brings home the responsibility to me. If ever there was a reminder that there are stepping stones along the way and the team captain is there to help young athletes settle in, then having my younger sister nearby is definitely it.
"An athlete's career can be a rollercoaster of experiences, but if anything I know they've made me stronger as a person, and I hope to lead by example when I get on the track in Moscow."
Black described Ohuruogu as "one of the Britain's greatest ever athletes" and praised her for being approachable and genuine.
He said: "I know she will do a brilliant job of motivating and looking out for her team-mates, and I am delighted she has accepted the team captaincy in what will be an exciting and challenging World Championships for GB & NI."
Rutherford, who won gold in London last year on the same night as Jessica Ennis-Hill and Mo Farah, missed returning to the Olympic Stadium at the weekend because he had not recovered fully from a hamstring injury.
But the 26-year-old passed a series of tests and was the final name added to the team for the championships, which begin on August 10.
Black added: "Greg has shown a remarkable level of recovery during a short space of time, something he has shown an aptitude for throughout his athletics career.
"Following the fitness tests and his record of being able to produce a quality performance off minimal build-up, I am pleased to confirm his place in the GB & NI team."
