[2] Christine Ohuruogu entered the competition as the defending 400 metres champion.

Ohuruogu, Jessica Ennis, and Phillips Idowu were identified as the athletes with the greatest chance of winning a gold medal; two of them succeeded.

The team included the defending 400m gold and silver medallists, Ohuruogu and Nicola Sanders, respectively.

Head coach Charles van Commenee stated that matching the last championships medal haul (5) was a reasonable target given a number of high-profile injuries.

[3] Germaine Mason and Toby Sandeman withdrew from the squad due to injuries before the start of the competition.