The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Content Muir eases through opening test
More than 50,000 eyes settled on Laura Muir as she stepped out on to the track for her opening heat at the World Championships in London – and the Scot did little to disappoint on home soil.
Roared on by a vociferous British crowd – sound levels not too dissimilar to that of the Olympic Games in the capital five years ago – Muir made light work of her maiden appearance of this year’s Championships, whetting the appetite of all those looking on for the days to come.
The 24-year-old from Milnathort, who won gold in the 1,500m and 3,000m at the European Indoor Championships earlier this year, crossed the line in a time of 4:08.97 to finish fourth in her heat.
That was enough to ease the Dundee Hawkhill Harrier into today’s semi-final at the London Stadium, qualifying in 26th place with fellow Brits Laura Weightman, Sarah McDonald and Jessica Judd also sealing their berths in the next round.
Given her rise to prominence over the last year or so, having broken the British records in both the 1,000m and 5,000m already in 2017, Muir entered these championships labelled as one to watch.
And that’s a tag she’s determined to live up to, insisting there’s plenty still to come as she sets her sights on a maiden World medal.
“It was brilliant, I couldn’t stop smiling on the start line,” she said.
“Having been in Glasgow in 2014 helped, and in Belgrade as well, so I’m lucky I’ve got a lot of Championships under my belt now, and have that support out there, I see it as such a positive.
“I’m really happy where I’m at, training has been going really well, so I just want to get through the rounds and conserve as much energy as possible for the final.”