Muir’s relief after picking up gold on top of grades

LAURA MUIR breathed a huge sigh of relief after taking top marks at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham — having missed the Gold Coast event four years ago while wearing hospital scrubs during her vet exams. The 29-year-old won the women’s 1,500metres title on Sunday night, a day after she clinched 800m bronze. Muir has now won medals at all the major athletics championships as she prepares for the Europeans in Munich. The Scot surged clear in impressive fashion at the Alexander Stadium to take the 1,500m crown — her first Games since Glasgow 2014 when she was clipped in the final and finished 11th. Asked how tough it was to then watch the action from afar in 2018 while she did her exams, she said: ‘I was in the hospital working, I was in scrubs and watching it in between surgeries. ‘I remember the 1,500m race was delayed quite a lot. I was due to be in surgery and I was waiting for them to hurry up because I had to go in. ‘That’s definitely the right decision at that time in my career. My veterinary degree was very important to me and, the way it worked out, I had to finish it that year. ‘We knew I wasn’t going to the Commonwealths three or four years before that. It’s hard watching it but it was on the other side of the planet. I would much rather have got my degree done and be happy with that, then come here and do what I’ve done.’ Muir’s success on Sunday night was followed by team-mate Eilish McColgan taking 5,000m silver — four days after she sealed a remarkable triumph in the 10,000m. The Dundonian, who was the flag bearer at last night’s closing ceremony, has been spreading a positive message throughout the Games — and it’s a tactic that has clearly paid off for the Scots. ‘Eilish got this sign saying: “Good Vibes Only” which we put by the door,’ added Muir. ‘When she won her medal, we changed that to “Golden Vibes Only” and had that next to the door. ‘When I was leaving (to go to the stadium), I saw it and thought: “Yeah, golden vibes only. That’s what we’re doing”.’