The Lottery was never destined to enrich Jamie Bowie beyond his wildest dreams.
Getting elite funding from UK Athletics was a bonus, not a bonanza. The Inverness Harrier goes to this week's European Indoor Championships in Prague as, once again, a member of the self-financed proletariat. The only hunger the loss of raw cash has stimulated is in his desire to achieve and excel.
Recalled to the British 4x400 metres squad after his omission from last summer's outdoor equivalent, it is proof that there is life after a demotion. "It's good to be back in the fold and be part of the team again," the 25-year-old declared. "It's nice to know I've not been forgotten. It was a bit frustrating last summer, wanting to really step up individually and not quite getting there. That individual berth is going to be more important to me over the next few years. That's my priority."
After landing a world indoor silver last spring, Bowie's progress stalled. There was vocal criticism of his approach from the Scottish Athletics firmament and pointed assessments when he failed to earn a solo berth at the Commonwealth Games. Thick skin or not, such counsel can sting.
Axing his support was deflating, he admits, even if anticipated. "Then I came to terms with it. I told myself I've had my best years without funding. I've got a good team around me. Being on funding makes a difference but I know I can still make GB teams and that I have the right support system."
Fortunately, he had not thrown all his spikes in one basket. Bowie retains his part-time role as an athletics development officer in East Lothian. "I'm lucky that my work is supportive," he underlines. "I have the flexibility to train and if I didn't have that, I couldn't really carry on. I kept my job to make sure I had some security."
Even with UK number one Nigel Levine opting out of the trip to the Czech capital, there is every chance the Scot will enhance his status with another medal. Expectations are high. Tradition dictates no less.
"We'll always be competitive with the background and stock of our 400m relay runners," Bowie declares. "Sometimes in relays, other people don't value your medals as much. But it's so competitive to get into that team. Which is why we're always successful at championships and why it's good to be part of it."
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