The Power of 10 scheme was launched in July 2006, aimed at raising athletics standards in the UK all the way from clubs to the Olympic Games. It is a statistical step-ladder devised to inspire athletes – Seniors, Under 20s, Under 17s and Under 15s – to move through club, regional and national levels to international standards. Power of 10 is based on standards considered attainable in a particular season by the 10th-best athlete in the UK in every Olympic track and field event in all four age groups.

There are UK-wide targets that have been identified by an in-depth examination of the 10th-best performances nationally in each event over each of the last five years, with reference to trends of 10 years ago. And, for developing athletes, there are different targets for all of the 12 English regions and Celtic nations, again taking realistic account of historical trends. The purpose is to start from a realistic base and drive up performance levels in every event, every region and every age group. Which is why, in each year leading up to the 2012 Olympic Games Power of 10 will set ever-increasing targets. The intention is to have at least 10 athletes achieving those predefined annual targets, thus strengthening the breadth and depth of UK athletics talent and reducing the reliance on a handful of brilliant individuals. It will be a transparent process: if the targets are not met, the sport will know there is more work to do.