PB WILL HELP ME WIN SPOT ON TEAM GB
800m success has Learmonth confident
GUY LEARMONTH is expected to be named in the British team for the European Athletics Championships today with the Borderer insisting he did all he could to win his spot.
The 26-year-old demolished his personal best in coming seventh in the 800metres at Sunday’s Anniversary Games in a time of 1min 44.73secs that has left him ranked sixth in Europe.
After coming third at the UK trials, there has been pressure to prove himself to the GB selectors. But with at least 12 Scots likely to be handed tickets to Berlin, Learmonth believes he has shown he can be a potential medallist.
He said: “I’ve run 1:46 in almost every race this summer but I knew if I went for it and hung onto Nijel Amos and the Kenyans for as long as possible, I could get there.
“I’ve not spoken to the selectors but if that’s not enough, I don’t know what is. I’m going to get faster and faster.”
Fellow Scot Eilish McColgan is set for a place in the 5000m while Lynsey Sharp and Neil Gourley should get nods in the 800m and 1500m. SWIMMING American Ryan Lochte, who has won 12 Olympic medals, has accepted a 14-month doping ban after he posted a picture on Instagram of himself and his wife receiving intravenous infusions.
IV drips or injections of more than 100 millilitres of fluid in a 12-hour period are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. DARTS John Henderson lost a thrilling World Matchplay clash with Kim Huybrechts in Blackpool as the Belgian won 13-12 in a tie-break.
The Highland star battled back from the brink several times before finally losing.