August 1, 2024, kicked off the biggest event of the Paris Olympics: track and field! But before the crowd packs into Stade de France for the epic showdowns, there’s a surprising twist in the men’s 800-meter race. Team GB’s Jake Wightman, who was set to light up the track in this two-lap event, has had to pull out. In a post on X, World Athletics Hub broke the news, sharing, “❌ No Jake Wightman in Paris following a hamstring injury.”

The Nottingham native, who took home the 1500-meter world title in 2022, has been plagued by injuries that just won’t go away. His 2023 season was already on rocky ground after a freak foot injury during a gym session in South Africa left him hobbling in a boot for five weeks. Despite this setback, he hoped to defend his 1500m title at the World Championships in Budapest, only to be struck down by Achilles, shin, and hamstring woes.

His absence paved the way for his childhood friend and clubmate, Josh Kerr, to snatch the world champion title in the 1500m. But the injury curse struck again when a calf issue kept him from competing at the distance at the British Olympic trials. After missing the British Championships because of a calf injury, Wightman was set to represent Great Britain in the 800m at Paris thanks to a discretionary pick.

But in his absence, who are going to be the faces of Great Britain?

Birmingham native Elliot Giles is now stepping into the spotlight. Joining him will be Ben Pattison and Max Burgin, ready to carry the British flag. So, what’s Elliot bringing to the table at the biggest stadium in France? Giles, who initially missed out on a spot for the Paris Olympics, is now making a surprising detour to France.

With Jake Wightman pulling out, Elliot Giles steps in as a late replacement, and it’s about to get exciting! Known for his 2016 European Championship bronze, Giles has had quite a year. He ran a scorching 1:44.46 in May 2024 at the International Marseille Meeting, clinching first place, and followed it up with another 1:44.46 at the Meeting Stanislas in Tomblaine.

But he faced some hurdles too—finishing 7th in the 800m final at the European Championships in Rome and missing out at the UK Championships in Manchester. Despite a bit of bad luck and a stumble in the UK Championships that even involved Josh Kerr, Giles is now ready to bring his A-game to Paris. How will Elliot Giles and his teammates, Ben Pattison and Max Burgin, fare on the grand stage of the Stade de France?

Tangled by fate, British trio is ready to seize their Paris Olympics moment

Ben Pattison, Elliot Giles, and Max Burgin are now the torchbearers for Great Britain’s men’s 800-meter squad at the Paris Olympics, and the competition is hotter than ever. With Jake Wightman out, Team GB’s hopes are pinned on Ben Pattison, who’s already made waves with his ‘Fireball’ nickname.

In 2023, Pattison clinched bronze at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, setting the stage for an exciting year ahead. Fast forward to June 30, 2024, and he proved his mettle again at the Microplus UK Championships in Manchester. Amidst a chaotic 800-meter race where Elliot Giles and Josh Kerr tumbled in the home straight, Pattison surged to victory with a time of 1:45.49.

Max Burgin followed with a solid 1:46.01, while Finley McLear, also caught up in the melee, took third in 1:46.33. This gold secured Ben Pattison’s spot in Paris. He further cemented his place in British 800m history with a personal best of 1:42.27, finishing fifth at the Herculis Meeting in Monaco on July 12, 2024. This performance has him ranked 7th in the men’s 800-meter global rankings in 2024. However, the Paris Olympics field is stacked for the distance!

Djamel Sedjati from Algeria leads the charge with a blistering 1:41.46, while Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya and Gabriel Tual of France are not far behind with times of 1:41.58 and 1:41.61, respectively. The race is fierce! With Wightman’s withdrawal, Giles steps up as the next best hope for Team GB behind Ben Pattison. Ranked 33rd with a time of 1:44.46, he’s got a shot to outshine expectations and make a splash in Paris. And don’t count out Max Burgin just yet.

Max Burgin may be sitting at 90th in the world with a time of 1:45.35 in the men’s 800-meter 2024 standings, but his journey to the Paris Olympics is nothing short of inspiring. The 22-year-old from Halifax has taken a break from his history studies at the University of Leeds to chase his Olympic dreams. Coached by his dad, Ian, Max clinched the UK Championship title in 2022 with a personal best of 1:43.52, putting him fourth on the British all-time list.

Despite facing significant setbacks, including a blood clot that left him using a mobility scooter and ongoing Achilles issues, Max has demonstrated incredible grit and determination. His comeback was highlighted by a second-place finish at the UK Championships, which secured his spot for the Paris Olympics.

So, can Pattison’s fiery speed and Giles’ potential surprise us all, or will Burgin’s resilience lead to a memorable Olympic run? Paris 2024 is shaping up to be a rollercoaster, and Team GB’s 800m squad is ready to take on the challenge! What do you think—will they defy the odds and bring home the medals? Share your thoughts in the comments below!