Countdown is on until Hawkins faces champs

scottishathletics insists the excitement for the upcoming London World Championships is heating up, with the event little under two months away.

Kilbarchan athlete Callum Hawkins is among the Scottish contingent preparing for the trip south of the border, having been the first British athlete selected for the competition.

He is one of only four Scots already confirmed to be competing, with a number of positions still to be confirmed.

And a scottishathletics spokesman reckons there is plenty to be excited about.

He said:“The race to the London World Champs is really starting to heat up, with four weeks to go to the British Champs and London trials event in Birmingham.

“It’s clear that for Scotland to match the #SALfab15 who were selected for the Olympic Games in Rio would probably be a little unrealistic.

“However, with four places already assured, the potential for seven, eight, nine or into double figures definitely remains‘live’.

“Athletes seeking the qualification marks asked for by British Athletics to make London are really stepping up to the plate — with performances in Britain, Europe and the United States putting names in the frame.”

He added:“And, while the tension will undoubtedly rise over the next month for athletes, their families and their coaches, it certainly looks absorbing for everyone else looking in from the outside.”

Scot Laura Muir‘s overall Diamond Race win at 1,500m last summer effectively confirmed her place in that event for London. Hawkins was then pre-selected for the marathon in December off the back of his top 10 finish in Rio.