Mabel Selected for UKA Futures Programme for 2nd Year Running

UK Athletics has announced 15 new athletes with a total cohort of 44 athletes on the Olympic Futures Programme for 2025/26, which includes LWAC’s @mabel_akande (100m).

The Programme – which is supported by Nike and delivered in partnership with the Home Country Athletics Federations – is focused on supporting athletes and coaches who have demonstrated the potential to succeed at future Olympic Games.

Through a series of camps and experiences, and with the support of dedicated staff, the Programme provides opportunities for athletes to develop the skills and abilities required for international senior success and forms part of the pathway towards the World Class Programme (WCP).

Mabel was also in last years cohort as part of the 4x100m relay team, and this year is selected outright for her performances throughout the year. Included in this were an exhilarating runner-up position behind Amy Hunt in the Keely Klassic, the @englandathletics Age Group (U20) Championship win, European U20 silver medal, as well as an extremely promising World Junior Championships in Peru last year, amongst many other brilliant performances.

Previous Futures graduates who have excelled in recent years include reigning world indoor champions Amber Anning and Jeremiah Azu, Molly Caudery, Charlie Dobson, Keely Hodgkinson, Yemi Mary John, and George Mills.

UKA Head of Performance Pathways, Dan Wagner said: “Our mission with the Futures programme is to engage with and understand athletes and their coaches and offer the tailored support they need to achieve their goals. Everyone’s journey is unique with differing levels of development, whether that’s achieving a personal best, a GB & NI junior debut, or stepping up to the senior ranks.”

Please join us in congratulating Mabel and coach, Denise Timmis. We wish you every success for the year ahead.

https://www.britishathletics.org.uk/news-and-features/2025-26-olympic-futures-programme-athletes-announced/