Ala to join Cam in the senior Team GB ranks

And elder brother Cam is due to join him for an exciting GB outing at the European Team Championships Super League in Silesia, Poland, from 29-30 May.

Both brothers are to fulfil vital roles within GB’s campaign against seven other national teams, with Poland being both hosts and reigning champions, in the highest of four leagues that comprise the prestigious Team Champs competition.

GB only send one athlete per individual event and for their chosen 400m hurdler, 21-year-old Ala, this recognition is particularly exciting.

‘It’s a great stepping stone for me now, my first individual senior vest, and it’s a big moment in my career,’ he said.

‘I’ve finally broken through to the senior level.’

Cam goes in the individual 400m and is also one of six men named for the corresponding relay event.

Teams will score points based on their position against international opposition and, according to Olympic head coach Christian Malcolm, GB will be ‘pushing for every point across the board’.

‘It is a squad with a blend of some experienced GB and NI internationals but also a high number of developing athletes who will really benefit from this opportunity.’

Both Chalmers brothers have recently shown their worth with promising season openers.

Following on from Cam’s 45.98 stadium record at Footes Lane, Ala claimed a couple scalps hurdling in Nuneaton last weekend.

It was an unremarkable time by his standards – 50.23 officially – yet enough to eclipse Olympic qualification rivals Chris McAlister and Jacob Paul. McAlister had reached the Doha 2019 World Championships semi-final, where he clocked that year’s British lead of 49.18, while Paul earned the British title during that uninterrupted season.

But here the current British champion made light work of the competition, leading from Alex Knibbs’ 50.82 on a day neither McAlister nor Paul broke 51sec.

Cam and Ala are in action at this weekend’s Loughborough International.