Former 1500m world champion from Teddington is moving up north as he bids to make it back to the top.

Jake Wightman has admitted that another major injury could spell the end of his athletics career.

The Teddington athlete has faced a series of injuries, including a serious foot injury, which ended his 2023 season, a calf niggle, which kept him out of this year's UK Championships, and a hamstring strain, which prevented him from competing in the recent Paris Olympics. 

In an interview with Athletics Weekly, Wightman said: "If I have another big injury or setback, I'm not sure I can come back again as it would be my body telling me that 'this is it.'

"But I believe that if I make these changes now then I can get back to where I need to be."

These changes include a move from Teddington to Manchester.

However, the 30-year-old will continue to be coached by his father, Geoff; the move is so that he can be closer to his physio, Alex O'Gorman. 

He said: "My dad's training works for me. It gets me fit. I just need to work on being able to withstand it in the current state relating to my age and body.

"I'd love still to be based in Teddington, but for the remainder of my career, I've got to make some changes.

"I moved to Teddington to be near my dad for coaching and the training facilities, but things change and for me now the therapy is the number one thing."

Wightman hopes to compete in the 2028 LA Olympics.

In his interview with Athletics Weekly, he said: "If you do the same thing again and expect the same results, it's the definition of insanity so I'm excited to move and looking forward to the change of scenery,

"I've been up [to Manchester] a few times to make sure it's where I want to go. I think it's got a lot going for it and I feel it will serve me well for the remainder of my career."

He continued: "I hope, in a year's time, I can look back and know that this was the right decision to make. I needed to do something different as my body is getting problems too often."