Farah heads list of 100 England athletes going to Commonwealths

DOUBLE European champion Mo Farah will bid to continue his red-hot form at October's Commonwealth Games in Delhi after being named in England's 100-strong athletics squad.

DISBELIEF: Mo Farah corsses the line to take 5000m victory at the European Championships - before returning to the track to clinch 10,000m victory (Reuters)

Somalia-born Farah will join three defending champions in the form of 400m Olympic gold medallist Christine Ohuruogu, world triple jump champion Phillips Idowu and world 1500m silver medallist Lisa Dobriskey as the stand-out members of the squad.

Farah collected an unprecedented double over 5000m and 10,000m at the European Championships earlier this month and last week shattered Dave Moorcroft's 28-year-old British record over the shorter distance.

"I'm really looking forward to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi," said Farah, who finished ninth over 5000m at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

"After an amazing season, two gold medals in the European Championships and a new British 5000m record, I hope to finish a fantastic summer season with another good performance in India."

Idowu and Farah are among 13 medallists from the European Championships, including sprint hurdler Andy Turner, longer jumper Chris Tomlinson and distance runner Chris Thompson.

And European silver medallist Mark Lewis-Francis will be bidding to make it third time lucky in Delhi, having pulled up with injury in the 100m final 2002 only to be disqualified in 2006.

But Paula Radcliffe, Jessica Ennis, Jenny Meadows, Natasha Danvers, Martyn Rooney, Michael Rimmer, Jemma Simpson and Perri Shakes-Drayton are all notable if unsurprising absentees.

None of the above were expected to make the trip for a variety of reasons - ranging from pregancy to injury - and with Delhi 2010 coming so late in the season, UKA head coach Charles van Commenee has reportedly instructed athletes to choose between the Commonwealth Games and the 2011 indoor season, fearful of the threat of potential burn-out.

But England chef de mission Craig Hunter insists he is happy with the strength of the squad selected.

"I'm delighted to welcome such a strong group of track and field athletes into the England team for Delhi and look forward to their performances there - especially after such a stunning European Championships," he said.

"I wish them every success in their final preparations for the Games and when they are in Delhi."

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