Record number of Scots in GB team

Scotland’s representation on Team GB and NI at the London 2017 World Championships has reached 14 athletes – double the best-ever tally in the past.

Steeplechaser Lennie Waite, who is based in America but has her roots in East Kilbride, was among five additions to the overall team named by British Athletics.

It takes the number of Scots in the 81-strong team to 14 – double the seven tally achieved in 1983 in Helsinki at the first edition of the World Champs and again two years ago at Beijing 2015.

Kinross athlete Eilidh Doyle was named captain following a poll of her team-mates, with the Scottish 400m hurdles record-holder and multiple championship medallist thrilled with the honour.

Waite didn’t finish in the top two at the British Trials in the 3,000m steeplechase but clocked 9.37.94 in a race in Sweden on July 11 to get inside the 9.42 standard that was being asked for selection (with Lennie having run 9.43 on two occasions this season, also). “We’re delighted for Lennie Waite that she has been added to the Scots in the GB and NI team for the Worlds,” said Rodger Harkins, performance director with scottishathletics. “London will be very special for British athletes this year, I’m sure.” There remains an outside chance that hammer throwers Chris Bennett and Mark Dry could be added to the GB selections via a world top-30 IAAF rankings invitation list and dependent on form and fitness. Scots selected for next month’s championships are: Andy Butchart (5,000m), Zoey Clark (400m and 4x400m relay), Eilidh Doyle (400m hurdles and 4x400m relay), Callum Hawkins (marathon), Josh Kerr (1,500m), Guy Learmonth (800m), Eilish McColgan (5,000m), Laura Muir (1,500m and 5,000m), Chris O’Hare (1,500m), Beth Potter (10,000m), Lynsey Sharp (800m), Steph Twell (5,000m), Lennie Waite (3,000m steeplechase) and Jake Wightman (1,500m).