Jake Wightman has urged his fellow British athletes to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the experience as he begins his role as team captain in Birmingham. Wightman is leading the 94-strong Novuna Great Britain & Northern Ireland squad who are looking to sample glory on home soil at the Alexander Stadium, with the Scot chief among those aiming to land on the podium.
Wightman's leadership role
Wightman won 1500m silver at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, three years after becoming world champion over the same distance. He also won European Championships silver in 2022 and is now looking to add to his continental medal tally boosted by his leadership role.
“It is a big honour to be selected as captain, especially for a home championship and for a team of this size,” he said. “I think the main thing I am looking forward to is the fact we have a home advantage.
“We’re competing in a stadium where we have all competed so many times, in front of our friends and family. If we could choose anywhere to compete, it would be this stadium. It's mainly about going out, having fun, and having our biggest supporters there watching.
“I hope it is going to be a great championship for Britain, and I hope everyone in the stadium, and those watching at home on the BBC, can really get behind us.”
British medal hopes
Wightman begins his campaign on Friday morning, with the men’s 1500m final then taking place the following evening. The 32-year-old is the most experienced of the British quartet taking part, with his fellow Scot Josh Kerr opting to miss this Championships having set a mile world record and claimed Commonwealth Games gold in recent weeks.
The host nation also hold realistic middle distance medal hopes in the men’s 800m and Max Burgin hopes he has shaken off the virus which ruined his Commonwealth Games chances as he targets European glory in Birmingham. The 24-year-old won his men’s 800m heat on the opening morning at the Alexander Stadium, clocking 1:45.80 to advance into Wednesday night’s semi-finals.
Burgin exited at the same stage in Glasgow but now feels in better shape as he bids for an upturn in fortunes. “I wasn’t sure what to expect coming into this,” he said. “I have felt pretty rough the past week or so and haven't managed to do too much running at all. The bits I have done haven’t inspired much confidence.
“But I had a good pre-race stride session at the weekend, and I was feeling a bit better in myself. It went well and I was happy with how I ran it. I'm happy with my kick finish – it’s always good to know I've still got one as I don't often get any use out of it.
“It was a good run out and I’m looking forward to the semis.”
Ben Pattison, who won a breakthrough Commonwealth Games bronze on this track in 2022, also made it through but Alex Botterill missed out on the semi-finals after finishing sixth in his heat. “I am devastated,” he said. “I expected a lot more of myself and we've worked so hard for it. I got myself in the right position coming down the home straight and I had nothing; my body just gave up on me.
Novuna is the Official Finance Partner of British Athletics and proud sponsor of the GB & NI Athletics Team. From everyday goals to world-class dreams, Novuna backs the ambition of millions across the UK — from supporting British businesses and individuals’ plans, to powering British Athletics on the global stage.
