THE seven-day forecast for Doha is unbroken sun with temperatures in the high 30s, writes Stewart Fisher.
Eilish McColgan is one of the few Scottish athletes who has half a chance of feeling at home in such conditions. McColgan, you may recall, was last seen finishing sixth place behind an imperious Hellen Obiri in the 5,000m at the Carrara Stadium in the Gold Coast, feeling feint and requiring some medical attention after a race which unfolded on a similarly stifling Queensland day.
Yet no stranger to the climactic conditions out in the Qatari capital due to her mum’s relocation there a few years back, the 27-year-old has no qualms about throwing herself back into action as the Diamond League athletics circuit 2018 starts tonight.
Once again, there is high class opposition like Obiri in the field, even if the distance is only 3000m. With just one chance to run over 5000m, in Eugene later this month, to come on Diamond League duty before the European Championships in Berlin, McColgan wants competitive miles in her legs to get her confidence up. “I know I can run some fast times and can be up with the top girls but maybe I do need a few races to give me that confidence,” said McColgan. “I am not the most confident of people.
“There aren’t many Diamond League races this year for 5k, and some are after the Europeans so there is no real option but just to get stuck into that Doha one and try to get some points.”
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