Zharnel Hughes backed to thrive and contend at Paris 2024

Zharnel Hughes will thrive under the pressure of being a British record holder and serious medal contender at the Paris 2024 Games: that's according to former Olympian Iwan Thomas. Hughes, 27, shattered Linford Christie's 30-year British 100m record when he stopped the clock in 9.83 seconds at last month's New York City Grand Prix, before claiming the sprint double at the British Athletics Championships over the weekend.

Ad Hughes will be tasked with replicating his phenomenal performance on the biggest stage of all in 12 months' time and Thomas is backing him to rise to the challenge. AthleticsHahn backed for third Paralympic gold medal15 MINUTES AGO «Zharnel is a world class athlete,» said Thomas, speaking at the University of Loughborough, where he was joined by former Head of Para Athletics Paula Dunn, and Head of Parasport at Loughborough University, Alasdair Donaldson, to celebrate the work of The National Lottery in supporting and inspiring the next generation of para-athletics.

«You don't train and compete as well as that unless you're able to deal with the pressure and I know for certain he'd rather be in that position where the world is talking about him, rather than an athlete who's half a second off the pace. »He can handle the pressure.

He's going to relish the opportunity and I really hope he shows the world what he can do. «To run the 100m as he did in those conditions in Manchester was staggering.

»We've got the Diamond League in two weeks' time in London. I think he's going to run very fast there in the 200m and let's hope he can keep it going come the World Championships and then Paris next year." National Lottery players have transformed athletics in the UK, with more than £214 million invested since