Divine Iheme, Tito Odunaike and Thea Brown are among the British athletes selected for the 2026 Mannheim Gala, set to take place in Germany on 13–14 June. Seen as a crucial dress rehearsal ahead of this summer’s World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, the meeting has gradually established itself as an essential stepping stone for many of Britain’s leading young talents, as well as some of the best junior athletes across Europe. Several of the 32 selected athletes are set to make their international debut in British colours, while the team once again looks highly competitive across multiple events.
A deep and ambitious British squad ahead of Eugene
The British squad selected for Mannheim showcases particularly impressive depth, especially in the sprint and relay events. The men’s 4x100m squad naturally draws plenty of attention following their outstanding victory at Loughborough a few days ago in 39.65. Farrell Fabusiwa, Ethan Franklin and Dylan Williams will all travel to Germany, alongside international debutants Matthew Ajayi, James Arminio and Tyler Thompson, as well as the highly anticipated Divine Iheme, already the holder of multiple world age-group records.
Even with the notable absences of Jake Odey-Jordan and Mayo Alabi, British depth remains remarkably strong. Jake Odey-Jordan, who has lived and trained in the United States from a very young age, rarely competes in Europe outside of British or continental championships. His absence therefore comes as little surprise in the management of his season. Mayo Alabi’s absence, meanwhile, opens the door further for a new wave of exceptionally competitive British short sprinters, especially considering that the Birmingham athlete has already secured the qualifying standard for the World U20 Championships.
In the field events, the British delegation also arrives with genuine medal ambitions. Tito Odunaike will undoubtedly be one of the standout names to watch after becoming this winter the youngest ever British men’s champion in history at the national indoor championships. Still only 16 years old, the Milton Keynes triple jumper will certainly have his sights set on winning this prestigious meeting. Harley Henry, who claimed silver behind him indoors earlier this year, completes a particularly exciting British duo in the event.
Sean-Connor Atafo, who recently produced 16.07m in the triple jump — the leading European U20 mark of the season — was unfortunately penalised by the timing of his performance, achieved after the selection meeting had already taken place.
Thea Brown also stands out as one of the most intriguing athletes in the squad. Entered in both the 100m hurdles and long jump, she continues to confirm her status as one of the most versatile athletes of her generation. Brown also competes in the high jump and heptathlon, having already won medals across all four disciplines at both British and European level. Daniel Emegbor in the long jump and Otis Poole in the high jump further strengthen an exceptionally well-rounded British squad in the technical events.
The mixed 4x400m relay squad will also be closely watched following their recent British U20 record of 3:27.04. Rowan Whittaker, Shiloh Omotosho, Luc Macleod and Caitlin Hadfield will all compete in Mannheim aiming to confirm that level on the European stage. Britain’s progress in the one-lap events over recent seasons is now clearly beginning to filter through into the junior ranks as well.
Beyond the outstanding individual talent on display, this British selection above all gives the impression of a squad carefully built with the World U20 Championships in Eugene firmly in mind. Several athletes already hold the standards required by UK Athletics — particularly those competing in the field events — while many arrive with significant international experience despite their young age.
The 32 British athletes selected for the 2026 Mannheim Gala :
Matthew Ajayi — 4x100m Relay Squad (Watford Harriers)
James Arminio — 4x100m Relay Squad (Gloucester AC / Speed Project Training)
Camiah Bennett — 4x400m Relay Squad (Coventry Godiva Harriers, James Wright)
Maizie Boylan — 4x100m Relay Squad (Great Yarmouth & District AC, Liam Boylan)
Lily Bradley — 4x100m Relay Squad (City of Norwich AC, Joseph McDonnell)
Elsie Brindle — 4x400m Relay Squad (Winchester & District AC, Mark Upton)
Thea Brown — 100m Hurdles & Long Jump (Sale Harriers Manchester, Ashley Bryant)
Noa Chodokufa — 4x400m Relay Squad (Woodford Green AC with Essex Ladies, Paul Franklin)
Nell Desir — 4x100m Relay Squad (Cardiff Archers, Lisa Waddon)
Daniel Emegbor — Long Jump (Harrow AC, Rohan Samuel)
Farrell Fabusiwa — 4x100m Relay Squad (Croydon Harriers, Paul Weston)
Ethan Franklin — 4x100m Relay Squad (Woodford Green AC with Essex Ladies, Gladys Bird)
Ava Freeman — 4x100m Relay Squad (Birchfield Harriers, Sharon Morris)
Tamilore George — 4x100m Relay Squad (Sutton & District AC)
Caitlin Hadfield — 4x400m Relay Squad (Derby Athletic Club)
Harley Henry — Triple Jump (Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers, Craig Andrew)
Divine Iheme — 4x100m Relay Squad (subject to fitness) (Radley AC / PWD Athletics Academy, Nkiruka Iheme)
Luc Macleod — Mixed 4x400m Relay Squad (Glasgow Jaguars T&F Club, Tom Leeson)
Joel Masters — 4x100m Relay Squad (Birchfield Harriers, Andy Paul)
Savannah Morgan — 4x100m Relay Squad (Rugby & Northampton AC, Matthew Thomas)
Casey Musgrave — 4x400m Relay Squad (City of Sheffield, Mark Fowler)
Celine Obinna-Alo — 4x100m Relay Squad (Gateshead Harriers, Richard Kilty)
Tito Odunaike — Triple Jump (Marshall Milton Keynes, David Johnson)
Shiloh Omotosho — 4x400m Relay Squad (Basildon AC, Sarah Robinson)
Otis Poole — High Jump (Yate & District AC, Joy Bray)
Tom Rutter — Javelin (Harrow AC, Tom Dobbing)
Sophie Thomas — 4x100m Relay Squad ( Dunfermline Track and Field, Agustin Osorio)
Tyler Thompson — 4x100m Relay Squad (Enfield & Haringey AC)
Thomas Watton — Mixed 4x400m Relay Squad (Middlesbrough AC, Richard Kilty)
Rowan Whittaker — Mixed 4x400m Relay Squad (City of York AC, Paul Daynes)
Dylan Williams — 4x100m Relay Squad (BFT Track Academy, TJ Ossai)
Toby Wright — 110m Hurdles (Taunton AC, Steve Shaw)
