DOUBLE TROUBLE
Paula fears Muir could run on empty by targeting two titles at the Games
LAURA MUIR has been warned she runs the risk of walking away with nothing if she doubles up at the Olympics.
The Scottish star, 28, is expected to be granted her wish for a twin assault on 800 and 1500 metres golds at the Tokyo Games when the British athletics team is unveiled today.
Muir predicted she can deliver on medal ambitions in both events after coming third behind Keeley
Hodgkinson and training partner and fellow Scot Jemma Reekie over the shorter distance at the UK trials on Sunday. But British athletics legend Paula Radcliffe believes the physical punishment from six races in eight days in soaring Tokyo temperatures could weaken her prime crack at the podium despite the careful planning of her coach Andy Young. Former world champ Radcliffe never medalled at four Olympics and she warned: “I’ would just say that this really is the best shot she’s had at the 1500 and I would not do anything to weaken that. “But it is her and Andy’s decision and I think they have to go over that. “You also have to look at the strength we have in the 800.”
Radcliffe, promoting Xplora smartwatches, added: “Keeley ran phenomenally. To run a 57-second last lap, you have to accept, acknowledge and really applaud her maturity.
“She’s racing Laura and Jemma who are two of her big heroes and she totally took it to them. She was not intimidated in the slightest. And I just think it’s so impressive.”
Eight Scots are set to be confirmed in the track and field squad this morning after cementing their places through the trials but Zoey Clark is sweating on her place in the women’s 4x400 relay following her sixth place in Manchester.
The Aberdonian admitted: “I don’t know if I’ve done enough. I’ll be borderline so I’ll wait to see which way the selectors go.”