Jem: Auld Reekie is a better one
Jemma Reekie reckons having to wait an extra 12 months for her tilt at Olympic gold could be a blessing.
This time last year the Scot was on the fringes of the global radar as a European Under-23 gold medallist.
But Reekie enters 2021 with two Diamond League 800 metres wins and having smashed three British records in the space of eight days.
The 22-year-old said: “I got a lot of experience. In 2019 I was in Under23 events quite a lot.
“I got into more races in 2020 so I was able to practise racing more.
“The girls were of such a high standard. They just pushed me in every race, which was good.
“I was excited if the Olympics were going to happen last year but I’m hopefully more ready for it in 2021.
“I can see more improvements already. I’ll have got more confidence after just getting some more races and learning more. I’m excited.”
Reekie and her training partner Laura Muir are jetting out to their warm-weather base in South Africa
this week. And Reekie admits an invite to move into Muir’s house in the first lockdown was pivotal.
She said: “I knew I could push her and she could push me.”
Mark Selby says it is pointless staging snooker’s Masters behind closed doors at Ally Pally.
Fans were banned from the eightday event, which starts next Sunday, due to Covid restrictions in London.
The three-time champion said: “It doesn’t make sense to have the Masters at Ally Pally with no fans there. It’s such a big venue to try to fill normally and we’re lucky it’s packed most sessions.
“But it could be echoey and that would be even worse for the players.” Christian Keeling believes he can propel Glasgow towards the British Basketball League playoffs – despite the Rocks’ poor start.
Cheshire visit today as Glasgow seek a second win in six games.
Keeling bagged 26 points on his bow while fellow American Ronald Delph is set for his debut today.
Keeling said: “We have a young team but one of the weaknesses up to now was not scoring consistently.
“Now you have me arriving to help offensively. Ron can provide an inside presence. Marc Kwedi still has to come back from injury. Full strength, we can compete.”