Callum Hawkins has been officially selected as part of the British marathon team for Tokyo 2020 ©Getty Images

British Athletics has confirmed the first seven members of its squad for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, following the conclusion of its marathon and race walking trials in Kew Gardens last week.

Scottish marathon star Callum Hawkins was officially made a member of the team following his pre-selection in December 2019.

Hawkins is Britain's best medal hope over the distance after finishing fourth at successive World Athletics Championships in 2017 and 2019.

Joining him on the men's team will be 39-year-old Chris Thompson who secured his spot after an emotional victory at the trials.

Thompson, who won the 10,000 metres silver medal at the 2010 European Championships behind compatriot Mo Farah, achieved a personal best of 2 hours 10 min 52 sec to make the Olympic qualifying standard - days after becoming a father for the first time.

Hawkins and Thompson will be joined in Sapporo by Ben Connor, who finished second in the trials after making the qualifying standard in 2020.

Stephanie Davis, who only ran her first marathon three years ago, met the qualifying standard in Valencia in 2019 and confirmed her spot at the Games with a victory at the trials.

Joining her will be Jess Piasecki, who made the standard at the Florence Marathon in 2019, while Twell made the time in Frankfurt the same year.

Steph Twell has been selected as one of Britain's marathon representatives at Tokyo 2020, and is set to compete in her third Olympics ©Getty Images
Steph Twell has been selected as one of Britain's marathon representatives at Tokyo 2020, and is set to compete in her third Olympics ©Getty Images

Twell will compete at her third Games, having made her debut at the Beijing 2008 Olympics just days after her 19th birthday.

"It is a great privilege to be able to welcome the first seven members of the athletics squad for Tokyo into Team GB," said Mark England, Britain's Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020.

"It was clear from watching the coverage of the qualifying event last week, and seeing the emotion felt by each athlete as they crossed the finish line, just how much this selection means to them.

"The hard work and dedication that goes into securing Olympic qualification is admirable, especially in a year that has come with so many challenges."

Tom Bosworth confirmed his spot at the Olympics too having finishing second in the 20-kilometre race walk trials, having already achieved the qualifying standard at the European Race Walking Cup in 2019 in a time of 1:20:53. 

Britain last won an Olympic medal in the marathon back at Los Angeles 1984 when Charlie Spedding claimed bronze.

The country last won an Olympic medal in race walking at Tokyo 1964, with a silver for Paul Nihill in the men's 50km race walk and a gold medal for Ken Matthews in the men's 20km race walk.