A BRADFORD-BORN runner is among dozens of athletes who have been selected to represent Team GB in the 2024 Olympic Games. 

Emile Cairess will make his Olympic debut when he competes in the men's marathon in Paris this summer.

Emile, who grew up in Saltaire, is a former Bradford Grammar School pupil.

In April, the 26-year-old put in a stunning effort to finish third in the London Marathon in a sublime time of 2:06:46 - becoming the second-fastest British marathon runner ever in the process.

Emile took up running as a young child alongside his mother Alison, an art teacher with a passion for the sport.

Quickly developing a talent for distance, he won 10,000m bronze at the 2019 European Under-23 Championships before adding a silver at the 2022 European Cross Country Championships.

The same year, at the Valencia Ibercaja, Emile tied Sir Mo Farah's 10km British record with a time of 27:44.

In 2023, the Yorkshireman eclipsed Richard Nerurkar's 30-year-old European record in the 10 miles, clocking a new time of 45:07.

Emile made his London Marathon debut in 2023, making headlines for overtaking Mo Farah and finishing in sixth place.

A year later and Cairess was back in the capital and stormed to a third place finish in a new personal best of 2:06:46.

He dedicated his win to his 22-year-old cousin, Oliver Burton, who was left in a coma after a car crash earlier this year.

Emile said at the time: "He's my little cousin, like a little brother to me, and a couple of months ago he was in a bad accident.

"He was in a coma for about a month and just came out of ICU a few days ago,

"It was so stressful, it was touch and go at some points - but he's made a fantastic recovery in the last couple of weeks.

"This morning I was really emotional. Hopefully I've made him proud today."

The Team GB athletics squad for the 2024 Olympic Games was officially announced yesterday.

Team GB Chef de Mission, Mark England, said: "The Games are within touching distance now and I am delighted to welcome a hugely talented and exciting track and field squad to Team GB."

The 2024 Olympic Games start on July 26 and end on August 11.