An impressive 70% of the athletes proudly wearing the Team GB vest were a combination of both past and present beneficiaries of the grants provided by the RPMF. This level of support underscores the fund’s enduring commitment to fostering talent and its influence on shaping the career of British athletes, some of which reach the global stage. The team at RPMF are immensely proud and fortunate to be able to support such a talented group on athletes. Watching their journey progress from juniors to the world stage is a wonderful privilege.
To cure the World Championship blues (that we all have now), we have a looked back at a few of the top performances from athletes part of the RPMF Family.
Josh Kerr shocked the stadium to claim the 1500m title over the betters-favourite Jacob Ingebrigsten. A tremendous final 100m saw Kerr overtake to clinch the title, emulating the victory of Jake Wightman last year. Kerr’s triumph in the middle distance events was closely followed in the coming days by a hard-fought bronze in the 800m by Ben Pattison and a silver from Keely Hodgkinson in a stacked race. Hodgkinson has emphasised in the past the significance of being recognised as a promising athlete RPMF has been to her, “I’m so grateful to RPMF for giving me a great start. The recognition I was seen as a talented athlete and had potential was important to me as it gave me the belief that I could achieve in sport”. Not to be forgotten, Jemma Reekie finished a fine 5th too. These victories are certainly hinting at a new era of British excellence in middle-distance running.
The whole quartet that won bronze in the men’s 4x400m were composed of both past and present recipients of RPMF grants. Amongst these accomplished athletes were Rio Mitcham and Lewis Davey, both of whom were granted RPMF support this year. It gives us great satisfaction that our grant has played a part in them reaching the pinnacle of their careers… so far. It is with an air of anticipation and certainty that we state “so far,” because we are sure there will be much more to come. Mitcham and Davey were also silver medallists in mixed 4x400m alongside fellow RPMF beneficiary Laviai Neilson, who also was the first leg that rocketed the women’s team Bronze in the 4x400m. The 4x400m team also featured Amber Anning, who we supported as a junior as we saw an un-tapped potential in being an unbelievable 400m runner. In fact, her split was recorded at 49.7s… need we say less?
In a similar scenario, the women’s 4x400m quartet have all been supported by RPMF in their athletic careers. With regards to the race itself, Asha Phillip told British Athletics “we knew it was going to be tough, all teams are basically top their right now and we knew if I set us up with a good start we’d come home with another medal”. A tough race it was, but her belief was rewarded for with the bronze medal.
Morgan Lake soared over 1.97m in the women’s high jump final. It was a bitter-sweet fourth, but an Olympic Qualifying mark meant that her journey to Paris 2024 was well underway and very much in reach.
Another incredible performance was from Molly Caudrey who finished 5th in the Pole Vault final, just 5 months after having surgery. Still lost for words by her performance, Molly told British Athletics “A PB, Olympic qualifier, fifth in the world – my emotions are all over the place. It is just not settling in – what a night. I don’t have words for it. It is pure joy [clearing 4.75m] and all the hard work, effort – I have had two surgeries this last year – I didn’t think I would be at worlds and now I have just come fifth. It is just pure joy. I came in really wanting to make the final. If I made the final, anything else was a bonus – top eight would be great – but top five is amazing.”
Amidst the varying outcomes of their performances, it is with immense pride that we reflect being able to these exceptionally skilled athletes. Whether it is helping them afford to go on a warm weather training camp or being able to afford of equipment like new spikes, whatever it might be, the impact of our contributions resonates profoundly. Looking ahead, our aspiration remains steadfast: to maintain this unwavering support for these remarkable athletes and, in turn, continue to be a driving force behind their achievements.
If you would like to help us continue to do so, please donate clicking the donate button at the top right of the screen.
