Gourley gains the go-ahead to go for gold
Neil Gourley has been given the green light to go for gold at next week’s European Indoor Championships in Torun.
The Glaswegian, 25, has been handed a 1500 metres slot as one of five Scots in a 41-strong British team.
Gourley, who opted to skip last weekend’s trials, became the fifth fastest Brit of all-time when running at the same venue in Poland last week.
New head coach Christian Malcolm believes he can shine.
“All the boys, if they run smart in that race, have got a good opportunity. Neil Gourley has a good racing brain in his head. I don’t want to pressure on him but I think he’ll be competitive.”
Guy Learmonth got the third 800m berth in his lineup along side in-form duo Elliot Giles and Jamie Webb. And with others – like fellow Scots Josh Kerr and Jake Wightman waiting in the wings – there is set to be a dogfight for Olympic spots.
Malcolm said: ”It’s exciting, isn’t it? I’m really looking forward to the summer. Jake Wightman is mainly 1500 but likes to dabble in 800 as well.
We’ve got a few good youngsters coming through. Piers Copeland, Neil Gourley. It’s exciting times in middle-distance and it will be great to see them all pushing each other towards the Games. The momentum is building.”
Andy Butchart, who lowered his Scottish record five weeks ago, will only run the 3000m while Zoey Clark and Beth Dobbin are in the women’s 4x400m squad.
But even with some pressure to get off to a successful start in his first championships at the helm, Malcolm claimed he was relaxed when Laura Muir and Jemma Reekie
rebuffed his approach for Torun.
“I did speak to them and have a conversation,” the Welshman revealed. “I spoke to their coach. They felt they just wanted to do one competition to see where they’re at.
“This wasn’t in their plans. The end game for everyone is the Olympic Games and that’s where you want them to be at their best and perform. So I’m not too worried about them not doing European Indoors.”
With the likes of Dina Asher-smith absent through injury, Malcolm has focused on a number of up-and-coming athletes for the event.