Seven Scots selected for Euro Champs

Tuesday 15th July 2014

Scotland will be represented by seven athletes within Team GB and NI at the European Championships in August.

The event in Zurich from August 12-17 follows quickly after the Commonwealth Games with athletes involved landing the chance to compete in two major championships in the same summer.

Beth Potter, Laura Muir, Eilidh Child and Lynsey Sharp are our four women picked in a GB team of 74 – and they are joined by three men in 1500m pair Chris O’Hare and Jake Wightman and pole vaulter Jax Thoirs.

Selected are:

Beth Potter: 10,000m

Eilidh Child: 400mH and 4 x 400m Relay

Laura Muir: 1500m

Lynsey Sharp: 800m

Chris O’Hare: 1500m

Jake Wightman: 1500m

Jax Thoirs: pole vault

It is another hugely-encouraging representation for athletics in Scotland and, with six of those selected aged 24 or under, then the future looks bright.

‘One of the primary goals at scottishathletics is for our athletes to step-up to world class level,’ said Stephen Maguire, director of coaching.

‘This year there is that opportunity to do two major champs in quick succession and, while the main focus is on Glasgow 2014, the Euros are a good opportunity for those named by British Athletics.

‘Firstly we congratulate all athletes selected and their coaches and families and those involved in their development over the years. It is a special day for them when a team is named for a major championship.

‘Jake Wightman only turned 20 last week and a handful of the other Scots are in their early 20s.

‘I think that augurs very well and it exemplifies how people have started to make the step-up in class that we have been looking for over the past couple of years.

‘We’ve seen that with Laura Muir, who is now consistently making GB teams indoors and outdoors, and Beth Potter (pictured here by Mark Shearman) is added to that group now.

‘Lynsey Sharp has already shown what she can do in European terms in 2012 when she became 800m champion. We all know the level Eilidh Child is now operating at – she’s proved that on podiums at the European Indoors.

‘I’m pleased for Jax Thoirs, as well. And particilarly for those who have worked with him over the years because that’s what these selections do – they give massive encouragement to coaches and clubs across Scotland that they can develop athletes who can operate at world class level.

‘Chris O’Hare and Jake Wightman are good examples – they came through the ranks with Edinburgh AC, competed at Scottish schools and Scottish national cross country champs.

‘Having said that, the Commonwealth Games are very much the priority and the main focus for all Scottish athletes right at this minute.

‘We’re getting close now and performing on the day is the goal for everyone involved with the Team Scotland squad.’

Sharp, O’Hare, Thoirs and Child all set Scottish Native Records in the Diamond League event and Muir set a National Record in Paris the previous week at 1500m.