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Darren Campbell: 'British athletes must alter mindset'

Former Olympic champion Darren Campbell believes that extra competition will be "healthy" after five athletes were allowed to switch allegiances to Great Britain.

Former sprinter Darren Campbell has said that Team GB representatives need to accept the decision to allow five athletes to switch allegiances to Great Britain.

British Athletics has allowed a quintet of competitors, including Usain Bolt's training partner Zharnel Hughes, to run in red, white and blue, despite not being born in Great Britain.

However, despite acknowledging concerns and views from a number of athletes, Campbell has insisted that British athletes must use the decision as motivation to improve their own performance.

The 41-year-old told BBC Radio 5 live: "Competition is healthy. I can understand why it would be unsettling, but if you're trying to be the best in the world then everyone needs to be beaten.

"It means the current British athletes have to be ready to go. When you hear of a sprinter, aged 19, who is labelled as the new Usain Bolt, that is going to spread fear among the sprinters.

"If his potential is realised, he'll go on to run crazy times. This is going to block paths for other sprinters. You would be worried. But as I've said, your mindset has to change."

Cindy Ofili, Shante Little, Montene Speight and Victoria Dronsfield are the other four names who have benefited from the ruling.

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Runners make their way through Canary Wharf during the Virgin Money London Marathon on April 26, 2015
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