‘That was quite tough to take,” says Amber Anning, thinking back to the selection process for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. She finished eighth – “dead last” – in the 400m at the British championships and was the only woman in the relay pool not to go to the Games. “But Tokyo’s always been on my list, even outside of track. The blossom trees are something I’ve always wanted to go see.”
For this weekend’s British trials in Birmingham, where spots for September’s world championships in the Japanese capital are up for grabs, Anning is the favourite and defending champion, not to mention the world indoor title holder. “It comes with a little pressure but nothing I’m not used to,” says the 24-year-old who, having been based in the US since 2020, is itching to race in front of a home crowd – “the best track and field supporters in the world”.
