The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Martin says Muirhead can win more medals
CURLING: Olympian confident about star’s chances in Sweden
Curling legend Rhona Martin says Eve Muirhead has all the tools to deal with turnover in her team and add to her medal haul at next month’s European Championships.
Muirhead’s rink has radically reformed – the Olympic bronze medallist is taking Lauren Gray, Jennifer Dodds and Vicky Wright to the continental event in Helsingborg, Sweden from November 15-23.
And former Olympic champion Martin believes the Perthshire skip can add to the European golds she won in 2011 and 2017.
“Eve is in a good place given there have been a lot of changes in her line-up this year,” said Martin, who catapulted curling into public attention with gold at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
“They’re gelling well and they’ve got some good results in Canada which is always a good sign. I would expect her on the podium at the European Championships, without doubt.
“Eve’s just so driven and wants to improve all the time.
“There are three really top Scottish male teams, too, and one of them could win on any given day so it’s really exciting and real strength in depth in Scotland.”
Martin was speaking at the Olympic Park in Stratford, joined by 25 past and present British athletes to mark the National Lottery’s 25th anniversary.
Since the National Lottery’s first draw on November 19 1994, more than £40 billion has been raised for good causes in the areas of arts, sport, heritage, culture, film, charity and community, with more than 4,500 elite athletes receiving grants enabling them to access the best coaching, facilities and support staff in the world.
Before funding began for elite sport, Great Britain were ranked 36th in the medal table at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, but at Rio 2016 – after almost two decades of funding – Team GB finished second.
Martin hailed the importance of lottery funding in helping winter sport in particular to go to the next level and win medals at the Olympics.
“I was one of the first athletes to receive Lottery funding and it helped me so much,” said the 53-year-old.
“Funding for winter sport can be a challenge. It’s a huge boost because it’s what helps athletes’ training and without that funding, facilities and support they wouldn’t be at a world-class level.
“I was involved at the start but it’s been so good to see the next generations of athletes seeing success. Everyone who buys lottery tickets helps fund success.”