Muir’s Olympic bid has priority over hat-trick

Dundee Hawkhill Harrier Laura Muir has insisted striking gold at the Tokyo Olympics had to take priority over chasing a historic hattrick at the European Indoors.

The Milnathort runner, 27, revealed last month she would not defend the 1,500m and 3,000m titles she landed in Glasgow in 2019 after previously picking up the middledistance double in Belgrade two years.

Muir is set to line up an indoor meeting in mainland Europe next week after being forced to pull out of a planned outing in Glasgow on Saturday due to quarantine rules for travellers from Dubai.

Although the chance of more major medals appealed, the eyes are on the biggest prize of all, Muir said.

“In the year of the Olympics we tend to focus on the outdoors,” she added.

“I didn’t do a big indoor season in 2016, so I wasn’t looking to do the championships.

“I love racing indoors and it’s a nice opportunity to check where you’re at, but I wouldn’t have done any of the major championships and it’s nice not to be worrying about that championships because we’re not going to be considering it, anyway.”

Meanwhile, athletes will be tested at least once every four days as part of the International Olympic Committee’s quest to keep coronavirus at bay at the rearranged Tokyo Games.

The IOC have published their first “playbook”, which guides athletes and other stakeholders on exactly what to expect during the Games, which are due to begin in July.

Athletes are also being advised not to use public transport unless given permission.

Race ace Laura Muir.