Seven Scottish athletes named on World Class Programme by UK Athletics

Monday 10th November 2025

Jake Wightman won silver at the World Champs in Tokyo in the Men’s 1500m

Seven Scottish athletes have been been nominated for membership to join the UK Athletics Olympic World Class Programme (WCP) for the 2025/26 season.

A total of 62 athletes will be on the UKA programme this coming year.

The Olympic WCP is UK Sport’s National Lottery funded initiative to identify, develop and support talented athletes towards podium success at the Olympic Games and other global major Championships.

Seven Scottish athletes were on the programme last year from an overall total of 65.

Our athletes to feature for 2025-26 are as follows:

Olympic Podium

Josh Kerr (Danny Mackey, Edinburgh AC)

Laura Muir (Laura Weightman, Dundee Hawkhill)

Jemma Reekie (Jon Bigg, Kilbarchan AAC)

Jake Wightman (John Hartigan, Edinburgh AC)

Olympic Podium Potential (14)

Neil Gourley (Stephen Haas, Giffnock North)

Megan Keith (Ross Cairns, Inverness Harriers)

Olympic Relay (15)

Nicole Yeargin (Gregory Sholars, Pitreavie AAC)

The Programme is structured across several levels — Podium, Podium Potential, Relay and Confirmation — reflecting both current performance standards and future medal potential.

World Class Programme athletes receive targeted competition and training opportunities, alongside expert support from the UK Athletics performance, sports science, and medical teams.

Each athlete is also awarded an Athlete Performance Award to assist their progression and preparation.

Athletes are nominated for WCP membership based on the assessment that they have the realistic potential and demonstrable performance capability to achieve podium success at the 2027 World Championships in Beijing, the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and, in some cases, the 2032 Olympic Games.