Emma retires; Chris sets target; Guy fourth

Thursday 6th February 2020

Emma competes for Scotland at Loughborough in May 2019 (photo by Bobby Gavin)

High Jump Records are ratified (2014)

GB and Scotland international high jumper Emma Nuttall has announced her retirement from the sport.

Emma has put high jump to the forefront of her life for the past decade but fitness issues have left her with little option.

‘It is incredibly frustrating but this sport has given me so much and I am forever grateful for the opportunities and experiences I’ve had,’ she said.

‘It has been a pleasure and I am grateful to Scottish Athletics for all the support you gave me along the way. I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds.’

Emma competed as Junior for GB and then, eight years later, was selected again for the European Team Champs in 2019. Emma also claimed National Records during her career.

All at scottishathletics wish her all the very best in retirement and say thank you for making such a big commitment to the sport and representing GB, Scotland and Edinburgh AC with excellence.

Emma, always a tough decision, but imagine the buzz of helping the next generation. You’re not leaving, just a slight change of https://t.co/85pos94gpF soon. @scotathletics https://t.co/zZ4LaQrWej

— Stephen Maguire (@MaguireSal) February 4, 2020

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Chris O’Hare has revealed how he has rejected lingering thoughts about quitting top class athletics during a roller-coaster couple of years.

A European Indoors silver medal at Glasgow 2019 was a memorable moment but missing out on Doha hurt the American-based Scot.

‘Multiple times I have thought about chucking it. When things are going well it is easy to think, ‘Yes, I am ready to race, I’m going to run well’. But when things are not going particularly well, you do think ‘Why am I doing this?’

‘But I’ve never turned away from anything in my life and I am not going to do so now.’

Susan Egelstaff interviewed Chris for the Sunday Herald.

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Guy Learmonth was in action in Dusseldorf in the IAAF meet and finished fourth in one of the two 800m races.

Polish athlete Marcin Lewandowski won the race in 1:47.23 with Guy coming up with a Season’s Best performance at 1:47.94. The other race was won by Adam Kszczot in 1:46.42.

Finding my groove again. I’m feeling super smooth and things are building nicely, I’m taking my time for once!
Looking forward to the next couple, they won’t be training runs?????????? pic.twitter.com/cZVrloU0oD

— Guy Learmonth (@GuyLearmonth) February 5, 2020