‘Lynsey’s talent backed up by hard work’

Sunday 20th July 2014

She’s the reigning European Champion at 800m and a major face of the Commonwealth Games for Scotland.

At 24, Lynsey Sharp is coming to her peak years as an athlete and has shown great form in the 2014 season despite having had to fight back from injury.

On Saturday evening in Madrid, Lynsey demonstrated fine form ahead of Hampden with victory in the IAAF Challenge 800m in 1.59.72 – demolishing a good field in superb style .

But it has taken years of hard work to give her the platform to ‘perform on the day’ this summer and those who knew Lynsey in her early years attest to a great determination to succeed.

So, in a short blog post for scottishathletics by Bryan Lewis, headteacher of Lynsey’s old school in Edinburgh, reveals how it takes more than ‘talent’ to get to the top in sport.

‘Everyone at Erskine Stewart Melville Schools Junior Schools is very proud of Lynsey’s achievement.

‘We were particularly pleased when she was finally awarded the gold medal she deserved for her victory in the European Championships 800m in 2012. That was a great moment earlier this year at the Emirates Arena.

‘Lynsey was a pupil in our schools from the age of three and it was clear from a very early age that she had the talent and ability to become a very successful professional athlete.

‘However, we always make sure that children understand that talent by itself means nothing and that a child’s commitment, a willingness to take responsibility and an understanding of the importance of being appreciative of all the support they receive, is just as important.

‘Lynsey always worked very hard in all areas of school life and we are delighted for her and the great progress she has made.

‘We are absolutely delighted she has stayed in touch with children in the school and regularly comes back to meet with them.

‘She remains the same girl as she was in school – unassuming, totally dedicated, very determined and quietly confident. We admired her determination as she worked so hard to be selected for the London 2012 Team GB and we shared her delight when she was selected following her triumph in the European 800m.

‘Now that she has recovered from a period of injury which kept her out of almost all the 2013 season we will be right behind her at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships for Scotland and Team GB and NI this summer.’