For all the financial strife at UK Athletics, which lost £3.7m last year, its high-profile stars and strong relay squads should ensure that it hits its target of six to eight medals in Paris.
There appears to be three medal bankers. The most certain? Keely Hodgkinson, who smashed all her main rivals in Eugene in May and should win gold in the women’s 800m – especially in the absence of the Tokyo champion, Athing Mu.
The breakout star? The 24‑year‑old pole vaulter Molly Caudery, who won the world indoor championships in March and has jumped higher than anyone else this year. Her bubbly personality has also helped her attract nearly 300,000 followers on Instagram. But gold would catapult her into the mainstream.
Then there is Josh Kerr in the men’s 1500m. His showdown with the Norwegian Olympic champion, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, will be one of the races of the Games.
Don’t be surprised either if Matt Hudson-Smith equals or betters the 400m silver medal he won at the 2023 world championships – an event in which Charlie Dobson could also take a medal.
Elsewhere, Britain’s relay teams usually deliver at least two or three medals – with the women’s 4x100m relay team most likely to win gold. Finally, watch out for the incredible 17-year-old Phoebe Gill, who could make the women’s 800m final and perhaps even sneak a medal. Sean Ingle