High jumper Smith among six Scots named for Belgrade ‘indoors’

HIGH jumper Allan Smith has been handed a surprise place in the British team for next week’s European Indoor Championships with six Scots named in a 31-strong contingent for Belgrade.

In spite of falling two centimetres short of UK Athletics qualifying standard of 2.28 metres, the British champion was given a shot at competing in his second major championships after coming 21st at the same event in Prague two years ago.

“I see no reason to believe I couldn’t do well,” the 24-year-old from Edinburgh said. “It’s just been a bit tougher with our standards being harder than the ones set by European Athletics.”

As expected, medal favourite Laura Muir’s request to double up over 1500 and 3000m has been granted after setting two European records already in 2017 with fellow Scot Eilish McColgan joining her in the line-up over both distances. Past European gold medallist Eilidh Doyle will also get two shots at glory in the 400m and 4x400 relay with Steph Twell (3000m) and Guy Learmonth (800m) completing the Caledonian contingent.

Defending champion Richard Kilty has been picked for the 60m despite getting disqualified at this month’s trials in Sheffield with Katarina JohnsonThompson, Lorraine Ugen and Jazmin Sawyers giving the UK three potential medallists in the long jump.

“I’m pleased with the blend of this team,” UK Athletics performance director Neil Black said. “We’ve got Olympic medallists in Robbie Grabarz, Eilidh Doyle and Asha Philip; World indoor medallists in Lorraine Ugen and Richard Kilty; as well as exceptionally talented athletes like Katarina JohnsonThompson, Laura Muir and Andrew Pozzi, all of whom I expect to make the step up this year and start winning global medals.

“Then we have Jazmin Sawyers, Steph Twell and Lee Emanuel, all European medallists who should be 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB. email: sport@theherald.co.uk. Tel 0141 302 6590 Head of Sport Stewart Weir looking to make a statement of intent for 2017 by repeating those performances and finishing on the podium in Belgrade. Plus, there is a good depth of emerging talent with the likes of Shelayna Oskan-Clarke, Morgan Lake and David Omoregie, who all have potential to claim medals.

“With a home World Championships in London, 2017 is an even bigger year for us than 2016, so starting it off in a positive manner is essential and I am expecting to see a number of medalwinning performances in Belgrade.”