Tough 10 days ahead as Yeargin learns on the job
World Championships
THE world championships begin in Oregon today with Nicole Yeargin, the American-raised Scot, poised for a shot at the first medal up for grabs within Hayward Field in the mixed 4x400 metres relay.
Her mother Lynn, an immigrant to the USA three decades ago, will not be there, however. She is back in Dunfermline on a long-planned visit home. American Dad Carlos is on the right side of the Atlantic but will also be watching on TV.
“There was no tickets left, I don’t receive any,” she said. “And Eugene is just one of those cities, there’s just not a lot of accommodation available. Hotel prices? It’s extortion. So it was just way too last minute for him.”
It might end up being a big regret as the UK’s potential mixed relay line-up looks stronger than at the Tokyo Olympics where they came sixth in Yeargin’s international debut for Mom’s homeland. That excursion, to her surprise, served to strengthen the connection with her roots in Fife.
Family – her granny foremost – and friends came out to greet her upon her return there after the Games.
“They always talk about getting the Olympic blues afterwards,” she said. “After all the travel and the highs and lows of that trip to Tokyo, I just wanted to really chill. And Scotland’s a great place to do that.
“Visiting Pitreavie Athletics Club and seeing the kids, they were all excited to talk to me and ask some questions. It really warms your heart. It makes them feel good that you’re there, interacting with them. And it also makes me feel good that I actually have a lot of people who look up to me and wish me well. That was the best part of the Olympic experience.”
After just passing the oneyear mark as a professional athlete, she is facing a triple whammy: worlds, then
Commonwealth Games and European Championships inside 35 days.
Before Tokyo, at university in California, a protective bubble surrounded Yeargin. Since graduation, she has had to fend for herself. This is her day job now. Bills must be paid from income raised. It brings a pressure all of its own. That has taken adjustment.
“Not letting how I feel, my emotions, dictate my practice: that’s one thing that I can go into the season next year with – just being a pro.
“You’re trying to be No.1 in the world. Trying to beat the person next to you. But knowing if I want to be No.1, I can’t make room for off days. I need to learn how to push through my bad days. Because you’re not going to feel 100 per cent every day.”
A gruelling 10 days lie in store in Eugene with the individual 400m to follow and then, to conclude, the women’s 4x400 relay. The form that has taken a rejuvenated Matt Hudson-Smith to the 400m UK record this summer could spark an unexpected initial medal for the British team on Day One.
“We always have a chance,” Yeargin said. “Everyone just needs to run their best race on the day. With going first, and knowing the guys won’t have a 4x400, they’ll be really fired up for a chance to get us a medal.”