Atkin will become the first LC State athlete to appear in multiple Olympic Games when he runs in the first round on Aug. 7. The final of the event is scheduled for Aug. 10. Atkin hit the Olympic standard in January and bettered his time in May with the second-best time ever by a Brit (12:54.66) at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix. He enters the Games as the No. 35 ranked runner in the world in the event.
“I am excited to represent my country once again and take in the true Olympic experience,” Atkin said. “Of course, having both my family and the Collins family there by my side will make it even more special.”
Atkin is still coached by LC State head coach Mike Collins. This year, unlike the restricted 2020 Olympics, the Collins family will be able to travel to cheer him on in-person.
“Excited to see one of our Warriors compete at such a high level and to be competing in his second Olympic games is truly amazing,” Collins said. “We were a little on edge as Sam ran into some food poisoning the week before the British trials, spent a couple of days in a hospital and was not allowed to travel, but the British system of selection allowed their committee to consider him because he has run so fast this year and his national and world rankings, he made the selection. Now it is about getting completely recovered and back into the training cycle. We are looking forward to watching him compete in Paris and representing the Warrior nation as well as his home country.”
Atkin was a standout student-athlete for LC State from 2011-16. He is the most decorated runner ever at the college, earning NAIA All-American honors in cross country as well as both indoor and outdoor track. He’s the only male athlete in school history to win national indoor or outdoor track titles. The Lincolnshire, England, native earned 10 All-American honors and won four individual national titles including two in the 5,000m (2014 and 2016).
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