Injury hits Leeds race walker Tom Bosworth but Tokyo Olympics spot already assured

Bosworth, the 2016 Olympian and Commonwealth Games silver medallist, struggled with injury in the men’s race, staged over a course at London’s Kew Gardens behind closed doors yesterday morning, but having already posted the qualifying mark, his second-place finish was enough to secure him a spot.

He tweeted: “I’m going to Tokyo!!! I confirmed my place for @TeamGB and am on my way to becoming a double Olympian! Really disappointed to race in so much pain but I know I’m fit and can recover now and push on knowing my place is confirmed!”

Winner Callum Wilkinson missed out on the time, as did women’s winner Heather Lewis.

Marathon runners Stephanie Davis and Chris Thompson both set personal bests to secure their spots for Tokyo, the pair among a small number of hand-picked athletes.

Davis only began to take running seriously three years ago and juggles her training with a job in finance but she dominated the women’s race to win in a time of two hours, 27 minutes and 16 seconds, inside the qualifying mark and enough to secure an Olympic debut.

Veteran Thompson, who became a father earlier this week, fought back tears as he said: “I knew that if I did it I’d feel a bit emotional but that meant a lot. I can’t believe I’ve done it.”

Ben Connor, who already had the qualifying standard, is also off to Tokyo after finishing second.