NEWPORT Harriers star Remi Adebiyi will make his Great Britain debut later this month after being included in a 69-strong team for the European Under-20 Championships in Boras, Sweden.

The 18-year-old, South Wales Argus Grassroots Sports Personality of the Year in 2018, goes in the 3000m steeplechase alongside England’s Kristian Imroth of the Shaftesbury Barnet club.

Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw pupil Adebiyi, who has just finished his A-level exams, knocked 30 seconds off his personal best to attain the qualifying standard for the event in Scandinavia (July 18-21).

After his clocking of 9:01.61mins at the BMC Grand Prix in Watford, Adebiyi is also third on the Wales under-20 all-time list, which is headed by Cwmbran great Micky Morris.

“Remi’s chuffed and I’m obviously proud and pleased, as are Newport Harriers,” said coach Darryn McAtee.

“I’ve coached Welsh internationals before, including Remi, but he is my first British international, and it’s a first British call-up for him.

“As far as I’m concerned, he’s a multi-talented athlete from 800m to the 3000m steeplechase.

“The 1500m is probably where we want to see how far he can go because he’s got good speed and a kick, and that is always something you want in a middle-distance runner.

“If we can’t progress in the 1500m then perhaps we’ll look at moving up to the 5000m or steeplechase.”

He added: “Remi has got a good temperament, on and off the track.

“He had to get a qualifying time for the championships in Sweden and it took him three races to achieve it.

“He took 20 seconds off his personal best in the first one, he took another three seconds off it in the second, and seven more in the third.

“He’s got natural ability but getting that time showed great mental strength – he’s almost got the perfect profile for a middle-distance runner.”

It has already been a good year for Adebiyi thanks to 1500m and 800m golds at the senior and age-grade national championships.

Adebiyi is joined in the team for Sweden by Cardiff duo Jeremiah Azu (100m) and Sarah Omoregie (shot put) and Pembrokeshire’s James Tomlinson (discus).

Team leader Trevor Painter said: “The 69-strong team we have been able to name encompasses a mass of world, European and British record holders across a range of events and highlights the young up and coming talents we have at our disposal in athletics in Great Britain.

“At these championships in Grossetto in 2017, the British came away with 19 medals and many of that team have since transitioned onto the world stage at age-group and senior level.

"I hope these championships will once again shine a light on some of the country’s best up-and-coming athletes and that it provides them with a stepping stone to even bigger things.”