Barnet quartet in Olympic squad (From Times Series)

Shaftesbury Barnet stars Lee McConnell, Abi Oyepitan, Yamile Aldama and Marilyn Okoro included in Team GB squad for London 2012 Olympics

3:15pm Tuesday 3rd July 2012 in Sport

Shaftesbury Barnet quartet Lee McConnell, Abi Oyepitan, Yamile Aldama and Marilyn Okoro have all been chosen to represent Team GB at London 2012.

The British Olympic Association (BOA) today announced a list of 71 track and field athletes who will form part of the Olympic squad with the clubmates all included.

Glasgow-born competitor McConnell could be in line for two slices of the action as she has been selected for both the 400m and 4x400m relay.

Okoro joins McConnell in the relay squad but misses out on the 800m event, while 32-year-old Oyepitan has been selected for both the 100m and 200m.

World Indoor champion Aldama meanwhile takes the honour of being the team’s oldest athlete at 39.

Her event is the triple jump and she will be just 11 days shy of her 40th birthday when she competes on August 3.

Including the six marathon runners already selected, the British athletics squad now comprises 77 competitors – an increase from the 68 who competed in Beijing four years ago.

UK Athletics Head Coach Charles Van Commenee has targeted eight medals, including at least one gold, in the Olympic Stadium this summer, an ambitious target which would double the Beijing haul and provide the best result since the Seoul Games of 1988.

Van Commenee said: “I am very proud to have nominated such as strong team of athletes to Team GB. Our collective philosophy since Beijing has been one of raising the bar as we work towards London 2012.

“I believe this team is well prepared to go out there, be competitive and achieve on the greatest sporting stage in front of a home crowd.”

Team GB Chef de Mission Andy Hunt explained: “The progress the athletics squad has made since the last Olympics in Beijing is phenomenal.

“With a record medal haul of nine medals at the World Indoor Championships earlier this year, they have a fantastic opportunity to produce something special as part of Team GB this summer.”

He added: “With the passionate and enthusiastic vocal support of the 80,000 strong home crowd behind them, I have every confidence that our track and field athletes will rise to the occasion and inspire many future generations with their exploits on the track, and in the field.”