Usain Bolt ‘motivates’ Zharnel in Olympics bid
Zharnel Hughes analysis: Mike Costello, BBC Radio 5 live athletics correspondent
Hughes, 19, was born on the British overseas territory of Anguilla, but has held a British passport since birth. His training partner is Usain Bolt and he is already being compared with the Jamaican six-time Olympic champion.
Four other athletes have been ruled eligible for Great Britain. American Cindy Ofili (100m hurdler) has also held British nationality since birth, while compatriots Shante Little (400m hurdler) and Montene Speight (400m runner), plus Swedish-born high jumper Victoria Dronsfield, all hold British nationality.
In March 2014, Hughes broke Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake’s 100m junior record with a time of 10.12 seconds and almost beat Bolt in the 200m on 13 June.
Hughes’s fellow Anguillan Shara Proctor, the British long jump record-holder, switched allegiances in 2010 and competed for Team GB at London 2012.
Hughes said he was “ecstatic” and “grateful” to represent Team GB.
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