Lincoln sprinter selected for UK Olympic Futures Programme
Lincoln Wellington Athletic Club sprinter Mabel Akande has been selected for the UK Athletics Olympic Futures Programme for the 2025-26 season, marking the second consecutive year she has been included.
The programme, supported by Nike and delivered in partnership with the Home Country Athletics Federations, identifies athletes and coaches with potential for future Olympic success.
It provides a series of camps, experiences, and dedicated support designed to help athletes develop the skills needed for international senior competition and forms part of the pathway towards the World Class Programme (WCP).
Akande, who specialises in the 100 metres, was part of last year’s cohort as a member of the 4x100m relay team. This year, she was selected outright for her individual performances, which include a runner-up finish to Amy Hunt at the Keely Klassic, a win at the England U20 100 metres, a silver medal at the 2025 European U20 Championships, and a promising showing at the 2024 World Junior Championships in Peru.
Born in September 2006, Akande has rapidly progressed through the ranks. She finished third in the 60 metres at the 2024 British Indoor Athletics Championships, won the 100 metres at the Loughborough International in May 2024, and achieved a personal best of 11.52 seconds. She also represented England at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, winning silver as part of the 4x100m relay team.
UK Athletics Head of Performance Pathways, Dan Wagner, said: “Our mission with the Futures programme is to engage with and understand athletes and their coaches and offer the tailored support they need to achieve their goals. Everyone’s journey is unique with differing levels of development, whether that’s achieving a personal best, a GB & NI junior debut, or stepping up to the senior ranks.”
Akande joins a cohort of 44 athletes, with past Futures graduates including world indoor champions Amber Anning and Jeremiah Azu, as well as Keely Hodgkinson and Molly Caudery.
Wellington AC posted on Facebook: “Please join us in congratulating Mabel and coach Denise Timmis. We wish you every success for the year ahead.”
With her rapid progress on the track and continued support from the Olympic Futures Programme, Akande is considered one of the UK’s rising sprint talents. Her selection comes days after Lincoln Wellington Athletic Club, based at Yarborough Sport Centre, was named England Athletics Club of the Year for the East Midlands, 2025. The award was presented at the recent Regional Volunteer Awards in Nottingham, which coincided with the regional forum.
The recognition highlights the club’s excellence in governance, compliance, and member engagement, among other aspects of club structure. During the evening, Mabel spoke about her introduction to athletics and her progression within the sport, while club President Terry Timmis received a long service award celebrating 40 years of dedication to athletics.
The club expressed its gratitude to every member, parent, volunteer, coach, athlete, and supporter, noting that the collective effort of the whole Wellington community has been key to achieving this milestone.
