JEMMA TURNS UP THE HEAT
JEMMA REEKIE insists she’s got gold on her mind after breezing through her 800 metres heat at the world indoors yesterday.
the Ayrshire ace, 25, looked like a champion in the making by winning her opening race in 1:59.45 to qualify quickest for today’s semis.
there’s a lot riding on the weekend with Reekie needing to finally land a major medal to match her talent following a series of near-misses, including a fourth-place finish at the tokyo Olympics.
But there’s a quiet confidence that has come from her new training regime in Brighton. And the tag of favourite won’t weigh her down.
she said: “everyone knows i’m standing on that line to try to win in front of a home crowd.
“i’d love that but i know the semi-finals are going to be tough.
“i’ve had expectations on myself for years. Before tokyo i told everyone i was going out there to get a medal. And i fell short. But it’s being brave enough to say what you’re going to do and if you don’t get it, it’s a learning experience.”
she has been a home crowd favourite at the emirates Arena and insists the fans’ energy will fuel her medal bid.
“it was so nice,” she said. “it returned me back to that Glasgow Grand Prix that i’d done here a long time ago and being terrified. But this time i just said to myself: ‘enjoy the crowd.’”
Canada’s sarah Mitton won the first gold on offer in Glasgow by throwing 20.22 metres to win the women’s shot putt by just three centimetres from German Yemisi Ogunleye.
BBC pundit Denise Lewis, meanwhile, has told Guy Learmonth to stop moaning about his selection snub.
the Borderer was omitted from the British team despite sitting high enough in the men’s 800m rankings to land an invite.
But Lewis, who was forced to step down as UK Athletics president this week, said: “i can understand he wanted to run in front of a scottish crowd.
“But the criteria is there for every athlete and there’s been more communication from UKA on what’s required for athletes than any selection.
“he has fallen short and it’s as simple as that.”