FRESH from enjoying a memorable Great North CityGames as he triumphed on the streets of his hometown, Stockton, Richard Kilty’s sensational September continued yesterday as he was appointed as Great Britain’s team captain for the forthcoming World Athletics Championships.

The double European indoor 60m champion was voted in by his team-mates ahead of the Championships in Doha, which start next week.

Kilty is part of the 4x100m relay squad and is preparing for his fourth straight World Championships, with the British sprint relay team hoping to defend the title they won in London two years ago.

“It feels incredible,” said Kilty. “It's always a huge honour to represent the British team but to be selected as captain feels amazing.

“It will definitely go down as a special moment in my athletics career. The squad is so talented with many star athletes.

“A lot of the athletes in the squad have leadership skills and would do an amazing job at being captain. It makes it extra special that my fellow athletes have selected me as their captain.

“I've got a great story to tell and I will try my best to inspire the team every moment from my team speech and on a daily basis over the course of the Championships.”

Kilty won European gold in the men's 4x100m relay in 2014 and is reigning Commonwealth champion in the event.

He won the 200m at last month’s European Team Championships, coming within 0.05secs of his personal best of 20.34secs set in 2013.

“Richard is having a brilliant season, running as fast as he ever has,” said GB team leader Neil Black. “Richard is an inspiration to his team-mates on the track and to so many off it as well, in particular through his work with young people, especially at his home on Teesside.

“It is no surprise that his peers have voted him as captain of the British team for Doha and I'm looking forward to seeing Richard embrace the roles and responsibilities of being captain from now right through to the end of the Championships.”