The British squad will be reduced in size following this weekend's Aviva 2012 Olympic Trials, at which point any track athletes who have already gained automatic qualification for Team GB will be de-selected in order to focus on their preparations for the Olympic Games.

This is in line with the policy spelled out by the UK Athletics chief coach Charles van Commenee earlier this year and is likely to see the removal from the European ranks of athletes such as Andy Baddeley, who races in the 1500m, Steph Twell in 1500m and 5,000m and American-born Tiffany Porter in the 100m hurdles.

Farah (pictured top), who is provisionally down to defend the 5,000m title he won in Barcelona two years ago, may carry through his defence given that he is running in the 1500m at the trials in an effort to work on his finishing speed.


Field event athletes, however, will be permitted to compete in Helsinki should the additional competition opportunity benefit their overall build-up – which could see the likes of Goldie Sayers, fourth in the last Olympic javelin, Robbie Grabarz (pictured above), who has improved his high jump best to 2.36 metres this season, joint British long-jump champion Chris Tomlinson, long jumper Shara Proctor and Cuban-born world indoor triple-jump champion Yamilé Aldama taking part.

There will also be top class 4x100 and 4x400 relay squads taking part.

The men's sprint squad will see the involvement of world indoor bronze medallist Dwain Chambers, former double world junior champion Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, European and Commonwealth 100m silver medallist Mark Lewis-Francis and European silver and Commonwealth bronze 200m medallist Christian Malcolm.


The women's sprint squad includes 2008 Olympic 100m finalist Jeanette Kwakye (pictured above), world and European junior 100m champion Jodie Williams and Anika Onuora, while the 4x400m squad includes Lee McConnell and reigning Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu.

This year's European Championships is the first to take place during an Olympic year, following the decision by European Athletics to take the competition into a biennial cycle from 2012 onwards.

The final  team will be confirmed on the morning of Monday June 25 – after the conclusion of the Aviva 2012 Olympic Trials.

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