Sam Atkin to race for Great Britain at the Olympic Games in Tokyo
July 10, 2021
Sam Atkin is ready to show what he can do on the biggest stage of all after being selected to represent Team GB at the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo. He has been picked for the 10,000m - which is just reward after he clocked one of the fastest times for the distance in British athletics history last year.
Atkin, who started his journey as a youngster with Cleethorpes Athletics Club, told the Grimsby Telegraph: “It’s a wonderful accomplishment. It’s something I’ve dreamed of for a while now. Ever since my dad and I would wake up or stay up late to watch the Olympics - it didn’t matter what event was on. There’s something special about the Olympics.
“I’m now just going to go do a little altitude training and maybe a race before heading over to Tokyo in a holding camp.”
Last December, while based in the United States, Atkin ran a massive new personal best for the distance of 27:26.58 as he stormed up the GB all-time list ahead of the likes of Brendan Foster and Dave Bedford.
being a little different with Covid, I want to embrace it, take the experience in, enjoy it and progress for the future. I’m the underdog. I’m not expected to do well, but I thrive on that!