Harlow athlete Osagie earns GB call-up for World Indoor Championships

HAVING clocked the World Indoor Championships qualifying time on Saturday, Harlow’s Andrew Osagie was celebrating after being named in the Great Britain squad today (Tuesday February 21) for the prestigious event.

UKA announced a 39-strong squad as part of the Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland team for the 2012 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey from March 9-11. 

OFF TO THE WORLD CHAPS: Andrew Osagie (s)

It will be the second time the Harlow Athletic Club member has competed at the World Championships.

He competed in Qatar two years ago.

The GB team head to the showpiece occasion in sparkling form, with 19 personal bests and three British records being broken this year, as well as three world leading performances.

Osagie, who turned 24 on Sunday, was one of the two athletes named by UKA Head Coach Charles van Commenee for the 800m event.

Osagie, of Northbrooks, clocked 1 min 46.3 at Birmingham in the Aviva Grand Prix International on Saturday.

The other runner representing GB in Turkey is Joe Thomas (Cardiff).

Van Commenee said: “This is a strong team and one that can realistically challenge for medals and make finals. There are some good athletes coming through and I am looking forward to seeing how they perform on the senior international stage.

“There have been some good performances during the indoor season which bodes well for Istanbul and beyond. The indoor season gives useful information about how athletes are progressing. It is important to remember the focus still remains on London 2012.”