THERE must be something in the Scottish water, declared British Athletics supremo Neil Black last night, after he confirmed a record 13 Caledonian competitors in his 78-strong UK squad for next month’s IAAF world championships in London.
Not so much punching above weight as the benefits of years of development at club level hammered home, with Jake Wightman and Lynsey Sharp both added to the list of those already assured of their places following Monday evening’s clutch of selectorial meetings in Loughborough that plugged the few remaining gaps. With Laura Muir, inserted in both the 1500 and 5000 metres, joining five-times previous champion Mo Farah as the team’s brightest medal prospects, the breadth of call-ups from north of the border was dimmed only slightly by the late withdrawal of Robbie Simpson from the marathon due to an untimely calf injury.
“It’s incredible what is happening, what has happened,” Black declared with uncharacteristic over-statement. “I don’t pretend to understand whether it’s been a natural evolution over time or if there has been a critical factor that’s driven it. But we embrace it. It just feels fantastic that this is the circumstances we’re in, that we have those guys competing at the highest levels of the sport.”
Wightman, on his 23rd birthday, was made to sweat a little before learning he would join Chris O’Hare and Josh Kerr in the 1500m, all three products of Edinburgh AC. Picked ahead of Olympic finalist Charlie Grice, it was just reward for coming third at last week’s trials and the huge steps forward taken this summer which brought him a maiden Diamond League victory in Oslo. And a huge return on the investments made in nurturing fresh blood within Meadowbank.
“It’s not as if we joined the club late in life,” said Wightman, who immediately flew out to the French Pyrenees last night to hone his preparations. “It was our first club and that’s where we came through from. Hopefully they get the credit they deserve.”
If Simpson ran out of time in his race to recover for London, then Greg Rutherford and Dina Asher-Smith have been given the utmost leeway based on past achievements rather than present form. The defending long jump champion was scheduled to face the media today, but backed out as fears over his availability continued to rise.
“He’s doing everything he can,” Black confirmed. “We’re doing everything we can. If anyone can do it, it’s Greg. It will be unknown until we get there but we’ll give him every opportunity.”
Likewise for AsherSmith who has toiled since returning from a broken foot but is pencilled in for both the 200m – where she took the European title 12 months ago – and the 4x100 relay. “Dina, as we all know, is a hugely talented athlete,” he added. “She has a little way to go by her own admission, but there is time.”
A handful of contentious discussions brought the concession that Adam Gemili, fourth at Rio 2016, could not recover from his own injury concerns with Zharnel Hughes handed the final 200m vacancy. Only Lorraine Ugen will compete in the women’s long jump with Jazmin Sawyers omitted while Katarina Johnson-Thompson gets to double in the heptathlon and high jump. However reality trumped sentimentality with not even a relay spot for 2008 Olympic 400m gold medallist Christine Ohuruogu ahead of her impending retirement. Lennie Waite could make it 14 Scots going to the worlds after the final deadline of July 25 after earning the 3000m steeplechase qualifying mark in coming third in Gothenburg last night.
Meanwhile Callum Hawkins and Andrew Butchart, both with reputations enhanced following their fine exploits at Rio 2016, will be among seven of the Scots in the GB&NI squad to make their world championship debut when the showpiece begins on August 4. Chris O’Hare’s 1500m victory in London last weekend has elevated him into the ranks of possible medal contenders along with a rejuvenated Eilidh Doyle in the 400m hurdles.
But while Butchart will also hope to join Mo Farah on the 5000m, most will be asked of Laura Muir with two shots at glory, even if team supremo Neil Black is advising some caution over the 24-year-old. “We have to remember it’s a world championship,” he said. “It’s going to be tough. “We shouldn’t be hanging medals around anyone’s neck. But Laura is undoubtedly competitive for medals in both events.”
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