Sunderland Stroller Aly Dixon's dream comes true after Olympic 2016 spot confirmed

UK Athletics (UKA) and The British Olympic Association (BOA) have confirmed the first six members of the athletics squad that will represent Team GB in Rio this summer.

The athletes will compete for Team GB in the marathon and 50km men’s race walk events at Rio 2016 – with the rest of the athletics team to be announced in the coming months.

Sunderland star Dixon sealed her spot in Rio as the first Brit home and a 13th place finish in London, with Sonia Samuels finishing one position behind and also booking a ticket to Brazil – with both having already run the qualifying time in Berlin last September.

Aly today tweeted: "Dreams do come true if you believe in yourself and work hard for it...IM GOING TO THE OLYMPICS!!! #daretodream"

Speaking directly after the London Marathon the Sunderland Stroller star said: "Going to the Olympics is something I have dreamed of for 20 years.

"I’ve dreamt of Rio but today was the focus and I wanted to make sure I nailed selection and got myself on the plane."

In the men’s marathon, Derek Hawkins is selected in the third spot alongside younger brother Callum and Tsegai Tewelde, who both qualified automatically as the first two Britons across the line in this year’s London Marathon; with all three running under the qualifying time.

Along with the marathon runners, 50km race walker Dominic King has also been selected to represent Team GB with Rio set to be his second Olympic Games after competing in the same event four years ago at London 2012.

Mark England, Team GB’s Chef de Mission for Rio 2016, said: "The marathon runners selected all showed an incredible spirit at this year’s London Marathon and thoroughly deserve their chance to race in Rio de Janeiro.

"The marathon is a spectacular event at any Olympic Games and last weekend’s race in London shows what an inspiration it can be as well."

British Athletics performance director and Team GB athletics team leader Neil Black added: "I congratulate the six athletes, and their coaches, on being selected to represent Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games this summer.

"The positive performances in London this weekend, and over the entire selection period, allowed us to select a strong endurance team for Rio and we are confident these athletes will represent the nation to the best of their abilities."

The selected athletes are:

Callum Hawkins, 23, Kilbarchan Athletics Club

Derek Hawkins, 26, Leeds City/Kilbarchan Athletics Club

Tsegai Tewelde, 26, Shettleston Harriers

Aly Dixon, 37, Sunderland Strollers

Sonia Samuels 36, Sale Harriers

Dominic King (50km Race Walk), 32, Colchester Harriers

The selection takes Team GB’s total for Rio 2016 to 53 from five sports having previously selected 11 sailors, four slalom canoeists, six shooters and 26 swimmers.