Scotland team named for the Loughborough International on May 23

Thursday 13th May 2021

Scotland to compete at the Loughborough International – via Kilmarnock

Scotland will compete in the traditional early season team event at the Loughborough International later this month – and we’re delighted to reveal those selected.

It’s been more than 18 months since the Manchester International in August 2019 with both Senior track and field international opportunities cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19.

So scottishathletics were very keen to accept the chance to be represented at the Paula Radcliffe Stadium on Sunday 23 May for this year’s Loughborough International.

Travel arrangements and Covid-19 testing and protocols will make it a different experience from usual – but we felt it hugely important to try and give athletes motivation and reward hard work and dedication with Scotland vests.

The selection features 38 athletes, 19 women and 19 men, and the team includes some very well-known GB internationals and a handful of Scotland debutants.

‘We’re really pleased to select a strong team for the Loughborough International 2021,’ said Mark Pollard, our Head of Performance (Interim).

‘Congratulations to all the athletes selected, their coaches and families – as well as the clubs who have helped them develop their ‘tools’ on the way through.

‘We have some established GB internationals in the team this year and also a handful of younger athletes who are making their first appearance for Scotland.’

Beth Dobbin will be back in a Scotland vest at the 2021 Loughborough International (2018 photo by Bobby Gavin)

Here is the team as selected (May 13)

Men:

100m Michael Olsen; 200m Adam Thomas; 400m Krishawn Aiken; 800m Ben Greenwood; 1500m Joe Ewing; 3000m Stephen Mackay; 110m Hurdles Andrew Murphy; 400m Hurdles Jack Lawrie; 3000m Steeplechase Jonny Glen

High Jump Will Grimsey; Long Jump Alessandro Schenini; Triple Jump Henry Clarkson; Pole Vault Andrew Murphy; Discus Nick Percy; Hammer Chris Bennett; Javelin Greg Millar; Shot Put Craig Charlton

4×100 Relay: Olsen, Thomas, Aiken, Greg Kelly

4×400 Relay: Aiken, Lawrie, Greenwood, Allan Hamilton, Kyle Alexander

Women

100m Alisha Rees; 200m Beth Dobbin; 400m Zoey Clark; 800m Philippa Millage; 1500m Jenny Selman; 3000m Mhairi Maclennan; 100m Hurdles Heather Paton; 400m Hurdles Mhairi Patience; 3000m Steeplechase Sarah Tait

High Jump Carmen Neat; Long Jump Sarah Warnock; Triple Jump Zara Asante; Pole Vault Courtney MacGuire; Discus Kirsty Law; Hammer Rachel Hunter; Shot Put Teddy Tchoudja

4×100 Relay: Rees, Paton, Alyson Bell, Rebecca Matheson, Georgina Adam

4×400 Relay: Dobbin, Clark, Adam, Patience, Kelsey Stewart

Courtney MacGuire in action in the pole vault at Loughborough in 2019 and now selected for Scotland again (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Athletes selected have been contacted and will have to agree to a number of protocols in order to compete.

‘When we were given the opportunity to be involved, there were a lot of considerations to take into account – with the safety of the athletes and staff involved of course the main factor,’ added Mark.

‘There will be a number of protocols in place and that includes athletes and staff undertaking Covid-19 testing during the week prior to the event.

‘But, ultimately, we were keen to make the effort to give the athletes a high quality early season competition opportunity and the chance to represent Scotland once again at Loughborough.

‘Given both the Loughborough and Manchester Internationals didn’t happen in 2020, we really wanted to get things back up and running if we could this year.

‘As a governing body we are committed to trying to create this kind of opportunity – to provide the incentive of representing Scotland and to reward the hard work and dedication the athletes (and their coaches) have shown.

‘Based on the protocols and pre-event information provided by the organiser, it’s clear the 2021 Loughborough International will be a wee bit different from what we have experienced in recent years – that’s inevitable at the moment

‘But we didn’t want the ‘gap’ in the opportunity to represent Scotland to stretch across both 2020 and 2021, so we’re very glad to be involved.’

Rachel Hunter is our Women’s hammer selection while (below) Adam Thomas and Heather Paton, event winners in Manchester in 2019, will compete again for Scotland