The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Muir happy to chase records without pressure of hunting gold
ATHLETICS: Scot glad to be free of major distractions as she targets new 800m lead
Laura Muir admits she is running free without the weight of chasing medals on her shoulders as she bids for another record in Poland tonight.
After capturing the British 1,000 metres mark in Monaco last weekend, the Dundee Hawkhill Harrier drops down to 800m at the Szewinskiej Memorial meeting in Bydgoszcz for a clash with Poland’s Sofia Ennaoui.
Given the 27-year-old’s form, a tilt at surpassing another of Kelly Holmes’ UK benchmarks could be within reach, with Lynsey Sharp’s Scottish lead of 1:57.69 also in the realms of possibility.
And Muir senses the lack of relentless focus on hunting gold in the absence of the Tokyo Olympics is working to her advantage during this curtailed campaign.
“There are less races and we don’t have the major championships,” she said.
“But it’s quite nice in a way that we don’t have a major championships looming over us. We can just go out and stay relaxed and try different things in races. And just enjoy it, and run well.”
Jemma Reekie, whose fourth place in Monaco in a British under-23 best once again underlined her astonishing ascent into the elite, looks in prime shape to break the four-minute barrier for the first time in the 1,500m, with the field also including Scottish prospect Erin Wallace.
While a fourth member of Andy Young’s Glasgow-based training group, Perth Strathtay Harriers’ Sol Sweeney, goes in the men’s 2,000m.
Meanwhile, Guy Learmonth believes Stephen Maguire is the right man to lead the British team into the Tokyo Olympics, even if his exit would be a major blow to Scottish Athletics.
The Borderer belatedly gets his summer under way in the men’s 800 metres in Bydgoszcz.
However, the sport is set for a radical shake-up with Maguire and former Paralympic supremo Peter Eriksson understood to represent the two survivors in the race to become UK Athletics new head coach – with final interviews due to take place next week.
And Learmonth believes the Northern Irishman’s breadth of vision, attention to detail and his people skills in assuaging the delicate egos of athletes should make him a shoo-in for the role.
“I love Stephen,” he said. “He’s a great manager. He has a different vision to everyone else.”
Learmonth faces reigning European champion Adam Kszczot on his home turf in Poland on his summer debut.
Yet the 28-year-old is already in catch-up mode after five Britons broke the 1:45 barrier within the past week.
That has certainly turned up the heat, the Scot admits.
“And I can honestly say I’ve never been so ready to race,” he added.