UK Athletics has named Lawrence Okoye as the Team Captain for Great Britain and Northern Ireland ahead of the European Athletics Team Championships.
Okoye, coached by Zane Duquemin and representing Croydon Harriers, heads into the championships in fine form. Earlier this year, he broke new ground in British discus history by launching a throw of 70.76m. He surpassed his own national record nearly 13 years after initially setting it.
His resurgence has seen him claim historic accolades. This includes a European Championships bronze medal in Munich in 2022 . That was the first ever for a Briton in the men’s discus ,as well as a Commonwealth silver medal that same year in Birmingham.
A former Olympian, Okoye competed at London 2012 before switching to American football. He spent seven years in the United States pursuing a career in the NFL. He returned to track and field in 2019 and has steadily rebuilt his reputation in the throwing circle.
As team captain, Okoye delivered an address to the squad, offering personal reflections on his journey and stressing the importance of mental resilience in elite sport.
“It came as a surprise to be asked, but I take it seriously,” he said. “I’ve been in this room many times, and I know how much it means to have someone stand in front of you and share something honest in what is essentially an individual sport.”
He added: “I wanted to give them something they could take with them in their careers. At the top level, it’s so much more than physical ability. It’s how you handle the mental side. That’s the message I hoped to get across.”
Looking ahead, Okoye said his focus is on performing to the best of his ability as the season progresses.
“This year is about reaching my full potential. If I do that, I know positive results will follow. We’re on the right track, and Saturday will be another step forward.”
The team gets into action this evening with the competition set to end on June 29 , 2025
