AW Magazine

1 February 2024

In the new issue of AW, we speak to Jake Wightman – a man on a mission to reclaim his place at the top table of 1500m running. Having memorably stormed his way to world gold in 2022, the Briton has had to contend with a series of injury issues which thwarted the defence of his title. A careful recovery process means he is about to contest his first races in over a year, however, and he speaks about the lessons he has learned, the increasingly high standards of his event and why Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen should be giving his opposition a little more respect. Elsewhere in the magazine, as we head into the meat of the 2024 indoor season, the AW team offers their views on what makes athletics under cover such an enticing prospect. The focal point of the next few weeks will be the World Indoor Championships and high jumper Morgan Lake will be hoping to make her mark in Glasgow. Ben Bloom speaks to her and her coach – Olympic medallist Robbie Grabarz – about their strengthening relationship which they hope will lead to major success. Britain’s greatest field eventers are placed under the spotlight by resident statto Steve Smythe, who selects his top 10 jumpers and throwers of all time. Former javelin world record-holder Steve Backley features in that list and he speaks of his frustration at seeing Britain fading as a force in the throws events. In a wide-ranging interview, he suggests much of athletics’ problems start in the schools. On the roads, the first major marathon of the year, in Tokyo, is fast approaching and we hear from Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan about how the event will play into their Olympic plans, while Marc Scott discusses his preparations for a debut over 26.2 miles later this year. The issue is also full of opinion, plus there are interviews with Lauren Fleshman, Danielle Williams and Oliver Dustin, not to mention a performance section full of expert advice.