Mo Farah crosses the finish line at the European Championships in Helsinki. Photograph: John Giles/PA

Athletics squad announced

Great Britain’s athletics squad for this summer’s Olympics has been revealed and includes hopefuls from all over the capital.

A total of 71 track and field athletes have been officially announced and Newham & Essex Beagles provide genuine medal hopes in Mo Farah, who will double up in the 5,000m and 10,000m, high jumper Robbie Grabarz and defending women’s 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu.

Clubmates James Ellington (200m), Steve Lewis (pole vault), Abdul Buhari (discus) and Chris Tomlinson (long jump) will also be going for glory on home soil at Stratford.

Hackney’s Phillips Idowu will be looking to build on his 2008 silver medal in the triple jump, while Adam Gemili and Dwain Chambers battle it out in the 100m.

Croydon’s Maes Dasaolu, Martyn Rooney and Lawrence Okoye are also included in the men’s squad.

For the women, Bow’s Perri Shakes-Drayton will chase honours in the 400m hurdles, while fellow Londoner Margaret Adeoye goes in the 200m.

Woodford Green & Essex Ladies are represented by Shana Cox and Tiffany Porter, while Shaftesbury Barnet’s Abi Oyepitan, Yamile Aldama and Marilyn Okoro and Julia Bleasdale, of Hillingdon, have also been nominated, along with Belgrave’s Goldie Sayers.

Head coach Charles van Commenee said: “I am very proud to have nominated such as strong team of athletes to Team GB.

“Our collective philosophy since Beijing has been one of raising the bar as we work towards London 2012.

“I believe this team is well prepared to go out there, be competitive and achieve on the greatest sporting stage in front of a home crowd.”

The Team GB squad also includes London-born heptathlete Louise Hazel and London-based Conrad Williams, Andrew Osagie, Ross Murray, Andrew Baddeley, Rhys Williams, Mark Lewis-Francis, Luke Lennon-Ford and Anyika Onuora.