SCOTLAND will have a record representation for a World Championships in Team GB and NI for London 2017.
British Athletics announced the main cohort of the team for the eagerly-awaited World Champs, with 78 selections confirmed which took earlier selections in marathon and the 10,000m.
And, so far, the Scottish presence numbers 13 athletes – almost double the previous best of seven athletes selected for this event, which happened for Helsinki in 1983 at the first World Champs and in 2015 for Beijing.
Scottish Athlete of the Year Laura Muir will double up for the 1500m and the 5000m following the announcement from British Athletics and after proving her fitness following a recent stress fracture in her left foot.
Eilidh Doyle is in line to compete in the 400m Hurdles and the 4 x 400m Relay team and Zoey Clark is another athlete named for two events as she competes in the 400m and was also named in the 4 x 400m Relay squad.
It remains possible that the tally of 13 athletes will rise further when a final wave of selections is announced on July 25. There are IAAF invitations to be issued to athletes ranked in the top 32 in the world not otherwise selected and that may open the door for one or two more Scots.
As the annoucement broke, there was a strong sense of pride across the sport in Scotland and social media channels. The 15 Scots who went to Rio last summer for the Olympics was the best representation on a GB team for 108 years and it’s believed something similar being achieved will lift athletes, coaches and clubs at all levels.
Guy Learmonth, Jake Wightman and Lynsey Sharp were among those named as they followed on from the seven who secured their places at the British Champs on July 1 and 2.
Wightman’s selection with Chris O’Hare and Josh Kerr means the men’s 1500m ‘team’ is all-Scottish. Likewise, the Women’s 5000 as Muir joins Steph Twell and Eilish McColgan.
Unfortunately, marathon runner Robbie Simpson – named after finishing second Brit at the London Marathon – has had to withdraw because of a calf injury.
“First of all let me firmly congratulate the athletes, their families, their coaches and the clubs involved in their development on selection by GB and NI for a World Champs,” said Rodger Harkins, Performance Director with scottishathletics.
“We should never be under the impression that selection for a British team at this level comes lightly. It comes after many years of hard work and dedication, sacrifice by athletes and families, and strong commitment, guidance and experience from coaches.
“Looking through those selected, I can see examples of that in each and every one of those 13 Scottish names.
“I’ve said previously I did have a slight concern that the year after an Olympics might be a little problematic. It can be the case and has been sometimes in the past – essentially we are in the first year in a four-year Olympic cycle.
“But I think the confidence boost from being in Rio, or seeing others in Rio, has inspired our athletes to new levels. The motivation to compete at a ‘home Games’ in London is also very strong. It’s a huge opportunity.
“For them it’s not enough to qualify for the Games – they want to get into finals if they can and prove themselves on the World stage.That’s the right attitude and I’d urge them all to be as competitive as they can.
“Obviously there was a strong representation last year for the Olympics but there are others now who have stepped up like Zoey Clark, Jake Wightman and Guy Learmonth – and they’ve achieved it via PB performances.
“We wish all the GB and NI team all the very best in London.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here