ELEVEN Scots have been named in the Great Britain team for next week’s European Championships, just a day after the number who have qualified for the Olympics rose to 12.
The Scottish contingent for the meeting in Amsterdam is the biggest in a British team for the Europeans since 1974, and could easily have been bigger still. Susan Partridge had to pull out because of concerns about her fitness after being chosen for the half-marathon, and some of those who sealed their place in the team for Rio have opted not to compete at the Europeans.
While continental titles will be at stake, several Scots competitors will also have their sights set on joining their dozen compatriots on the plane to Rio. Hammer-throwers Chris Bennett and Mark Dry, for example, finished in the required top two places at the British Championships at the weekend, but still need to achieve the qualifying standard.
Laura Whittle, who will run in the 5000m along with Steph Twell and Eilish McColgan, has the time already, but needs to hope the selectors add her to the team after she finished third in Birmingham on Sunday. She has been in good form this season, however, and is in confident mood.
“A lot of races I’ve done this season have moved me on, and I did a third personal best earlier in the season,” she said after that third-place finish. “It’s tough coming third, because the first two know they’re going.
“Coming behind Steph and Eilish and getting a Scottish 1-2-3 is really good. I’ve just got to hope. We’ll see what happens. But it’s a great event to be part of this year, and Scottish endurance running is coming on and on.”
Jake Wightman will win his first senior GB vest in the Netherlands and is hoping for a qualifying time and a performance that will convince the selectors to add him to the team. He finished third in the 1500m in Birmingham, with the top two places going to Charlie Grice and Chris O’Hare, neither of whom is going to Amsterdam.
The other three Scottish men in the team are all in the half-marathon - the Hawkins brothers, Calum and Derek, along with Tsegai Tewelde. Eilidh Doyle, an easy winner of the 400m hurdles two days ago, is part of the relay squad, while Lennie Waite goes in the 3000m steeplechase.
With 98 members, this is the biggest British team selected for the European Championships. It includes six reigning champions, although only four will defend their title: long-jumper Greg Rutherford, 400m runner Martyn Rooney, 100m hurdler Tiffany Porter, and Jo Pavey, who at 42 will defend the 10,000m title she won in Zurich two years ago. James Dasaolu, the 100m champion in 2014, will only compete in the sprint relay this time round, and Adam Gemili takes his place instead of defending his 200m crown.
Scots in Great Britain team for European Championships (Amsterdam, 6-10 July)
Women: 5000m: Eilish McColgan, Steph Twell, Laura Whittle. 4x400 relay: Eilidh Doyle. 3000m steeplechase: Lennie Waite.
Men: 15000m: Jake Wightman. Hammer: Chris Bennett, Mark Dry. Half-marathon: Calum Hawkins, Derek Hawkins, Tsegai Tewelde.
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