Learmonth’s new best at Anniversary Games should book Berlin ticket

0 Guy Learmonth: Patience. Guy Learmonth is expected to be named today in the British team for the European Athletics Championships, with the Borderer insisting he could have done nothing more to make his case, writes Mark Woods.

The 26-year-old demolished his personal best in coming seventh in the 800 metres at Sunday’s Anniversary Games in London in a time of 1 min 44.73 that has left him ranked sixth in Europe.

After coming third at the UK trials, there has been pressure to prove himself to the selectors, he admits.

But with at least 12 Scots likely to be handed tickets to Berlin, Learmonth believes he has now proved himself to be a potential medalist with his performance in the quickest 800m race since the London 2012 Olympic final.

“I knew I could run those times but this season, with the Commonwealth Games and injuries, I’ve had to be patient,” he said. “I’ve run 1:46 in almost every race this summer but I knew if I went for it and hung on to Nijel Amos and the Kenyans for as long as possible, I could get there.

“I’ve not spoken to the selectors. But if that’s not enough, I don’t know what is. I’m going to get faster and faster and I’m coming into my best shape. And I think I can drop my time again in August. It’s been a very long year. I got hip tendonitis six weeks ago. But it’s all coming good now.”

Eilish Mccolgan is set to get the third discretionary place for the Europeans in the 5,000m with Laura Muir passing on the event, while Lynsey Sharp and Neil Gourley are strong favourites to get the selectorial nods in the women’s 800m and men’s 1,500m respectively.