EILIDH DOYLE wants to prove she’s still Europe’s No.1 in Monaco tonight despite handing over her European 400 metres hurdles title last weekend without a fight.
The 29-year-old took 4x400 gold in Amsterdam rather than defend her crown, allowing Danish rival Sara Petersen to take advantage.
The pair clash again at the Diamond League meeting with the Scot ranked top in the field.
And with Czech world champion Zuzana Hejnova now a major doubt for the Olympics with an Achilles problem, Doyle admits she’s out to lay down a marker as the Games approach.
“Obviously, Sara was running that final thinking: ‘if I run well, I’m going to get it’,” she said. “I was like that at the trials. So I want to get out and prove how well I’m running this season and show it’s open.
“I want to get back in the swing of things with the hurdles. I had the trials but not a lot of competition, so I need to practice racing the top girls again in my favourite event.”
Meanwhile, Lynsey Sharp will get her penultimate tune-up before Rio in an ultra-tough 800m which also includes gold-medallist favourite Caster Semenya.
“I’ve wanted to do Monaco for years now, so it’s nice to be able to finally go out and do it,” said Sharp, who skipped the Europeans. “It’s a fast meet. It’ll be the same girls out there, so it’s good experience but it’s ultimately about making the start line in Rio. The heats and semi-finals are going to be the hardest part. It’s easy when you get to the final.”
Elsewhere, Paralympic medallist Stef Reid has been appointed to the board of the 2017 World Paralympic Championships in London. The Scot, who reclaimed her T44 long jump world record last weekend said: “I will be drawing on all of my past experience to ensure that the athletes, spectators, and stakeholders leave London both inspired and proud to be part of another world class event.
“Britain is the leading force in para-athletics. We have another opportunity to further develop the sport and showcase it to the world.”
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