UK Athletics defend their strict selection policy for the World Championships as they insists it’s based on ‘challenging for finals’ and ‘winning medals’

UK Athletics have defended their strict selection policy after announcing their smallest squad for a World Championships since 2005.

Only 51 athletes were named in Great Britain’s initial party for Budapest on Friday, way down on the 78 who went to Eugene last year, with only a handful more individuals to be added next week.

UKA will be leaving behind up to 20 athletes who will receive invites from World Athletics by virtue of their world ranking, but have not hit the standards set out by their home governing body.

Some of the athletes implicated have accused UKA of ‘robbing’ them of places to save money and have threatened legal action against the governing body.

But UKA technical director Stephen Maguire said: ‘The policy is set out a year in advance. Our selection is very much based on the philosophy of challenging for finals and ultimately winning medals.

Dina Asher-Smith (Right) is among just 51 athletes that have been selected by Great Britain for the upcoming World Championships

UK Athletics technical director Stephen Maguire says the policy is based on getting the best results possible and not to save money 

‘This is about top end of performance. This isn’t about cost. If we had 80 people making the team at the level we have set then hallelujah, that’s great.

‘I’m really hoping that the athletes give us real headaches next year and many more people are hitting standards.

‘When people don’t make standards, there’s probably a bit of emotion. Athletes will be hurt because they haven’t made standards and the world and Olympic standards are tough.

‘But I don’t think the standards are too difficult. It has highlighted some of the work that we have to do. My advice would be to grasp the nettle, train hard and put yourself in a good position.’

Only 12 men have been selected for individual events, including Zharnel Hughes – who has the fastest 100metres time in the world this year – and world 400m bronze medallist Matthew Hudson-Smith. But last year’s 1500m gold medallist Jake Wightman is out injured.

Dina Asher-Smith, Keely Hodgkinson, Laura Muir and Katarina Johnson-Thompson are among the top women selected. Olympic bronze medallist pole vaulter Holly Bradshaw will be added to the squad next week once she has received an invite from World Athletics.

Only 12 men have been selected for individual events, including Zharnel Hughes