MUIR DOUBLE OFF
Scot will only run 1500m in Berlin champs
LaURa MUiR has ditched her bid for a double at next month’s european Championships because of a minor achilles injury.
The golden girl of the British team had intended to challenge for golds in the 800m and 1500m in Berlin but after feeling an ‘irritation’ during the anniversary games on Sunday she has opted to only run the longer distance.
The decision has grated in some quarters following the furore at the British Championships earlier this month when Muir was a surprise entrant in the 800m and ultimately did not contest the 1500m, her superior event. By running in the 800m, which she won, Muir was eligible for a discretionary pick in the 1500m in Berlin.
Performance director neil Black said: ‘Laura had a genuine intention to create relative history and do the double. But she has some achilles irritation and she’s made the sensible decision to focus on the 1500m. it is disappointing but i love the fact she makes good decisions and i’m sure we’ll see her at her best in the 1500m in Berlin.’
The first event in Berlin is a week on Monday and Britain yesterday named a team of 102 athletes, their largest delegation for a major championships. The only notable omission was Kyle Langford, who finished fourth in the 800m at the World Championships last year but has struggled for fitness in 2018. There was also no 1500m pick for neil gourley, who has twice broken his personal best in the last fortnight.
dina asher-Smith has a shot at a medal hat-trick in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay after a sterling season in which she broke her own 100m national record. Black said: ‘The time has come for dina to really demonstrate where she’s at. Her expectations are really high. i definitely think she’s capable (of three golds) but the competition is high and anything can happen.’