DANNY Talbot has backed the new tough stance by UK Athletics (UKA) in their move to ensure that Great Britain fields its strongest sprint relay team at the Rio Olympics next year, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

UKA has used the funding programme for 2016, announced earlier this week, to bring all but two of the country’s top sprinters together in the Olympic relay squad funding programme.

Trowbridge’s Talbot is one of seven sprinters named in that programme and will be joined by Richard Kilty and CJ Ujah who were also members of that ill-fated squad that were disqualified at the World Championships in Beijing which led to some harsh criticism afterwards.

Only new sprint star Zharnel Hughes and Adam Gemili, who was fifth in the 2013 World Championships100m but was injured all this summer, have received individual funding through the World Class Performance Programme (WCPP).

“There have been a few problems in the relay in the past so now UKA has put more funding into the relay programme and taken away individual funding for the 100/200 guys apart from Zharnel and Adam,” said Talbot.

“The aim is to get everyone in the relay to sign up for the programme and I think that is brilliant. Everyone will have to be at the training sessions and camps and there will be no excuses now.”

In the past sprinters were given individual funding - Talbot was on the podium potential programme this year – so the relay coaches had no effective control on who turned up to practice sessions.

Talbot and coach Dan Cossins always supported those sessions so it is no surprise that he is backing the new policy.

“If people don’t want to come then they will be taken off the programme and won’t get any funding or medical support,” added Talbot.

“It is probably an ultimatum and to people outside the sport that may look harsh but I reckon it is a massive boost for the relay.”

Talbot stressed that his ultimate dream is to reach the final of the 200m and try and win an individual medal but he is realistic to acknowledge that the relay may offer a better route to making the podium in Rio.

“People need to realise that an Olympic relay medal is worth as much as an individual one,” argued Talbot.

“I would be happy with an Olympic medal of any colour in the relay and I believe that is why all the guys have now signed up to this programme.

“I think this is what we needed. There was talk that the management didn’t have the respect of the athletes but we did have that respect and now they have taken this tough stance.

“We have nine top class sprinters so could in theory field two relay teams so competition is going to be very tough.

“Everyone will be pushing each other on to get into the team and that can only be good as well.

“We have amazing strength in depth in this country with our sprinters so it is very exciting.”