Bobby short-listed for World Photography Award; Zoey injury rehab

Thursday 8th June 2023

Bobby Gavin has been short-listed in the World Sports Photography Awards for 2023.

Our very own man behind the lens is a finalist for Athletics after entering a superb image of Eilish McColgan and mum Liz at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Bobby (as always) captures the moment when Eilish celebrates her gold in the Alexander Stadium with her mum, coach and double Commonwealth champion in the same Women’s 10,000m event.

It’s a huge compliment to Bobby for his talent and hard work . . . and yet it will be of no surprise whatsoever to our community.

In all weathers, across the year, Bobby’s images tell the story of our sport at all levels and across the disciplines in spectacular style.

Congratulations!

‘Covering three Commonwealths for Scottish Athletics and Team Scotland is an honour, but it is very much the icing on the cake,’ Bobby told us.

‘The groundwork is done at grassroots in all weathers at every road, cross-country and track and field event throughout Scotland.

‘Birmingham presented significant challenges with a large team over a short schedule, but getting that silver medal on the first Saturday (Sean Frame) seemed to set the tone. From there, the whole team was on a high and it showed in the images.

‘I’m really pleased with the photo selected for the World Sports Photography Awards.

‘The atmosphere that evening was incredible and I had to think quickly about the celebrations.

‘I’d seen Liz in the crowd but I didn’t want to be part of the scrum getting all the same shot, so I stood back and used the other photographers as a frame, and then hoped for the best. Luckily it all worked . . .

‘The mother-daughter strand to the story seemed to connect with people way beyond Scotland and even beyond the sport.

‘It was also an honour to see Eilish use it for International Women’s Day, I get really humbled what world class athletes pick one of my shots!.’

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Photo by Bobby Gavin

BBC Scotland Sport website

Zoey Clark is working on injury rehabilitaiton now after a back problem which left her in agonising pain and sparked fears about her career.

Now the GB and Scotland international sprinter is confident of being in the mix for Olympic selection at next year’s Games in Paris despite resigning herself to not competing this year.

Clark, who has won 4x400m relay medals at World, European and Commonwealth level, was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc in her back at the turn of the year.

‘I’ve been working hard on my rehab after the back injury,’ Zoey told us.

‘I’m making lots of progress but unfortunately I don’t think I will be able to compete this season.

‘It’s been a tough situation, but I’m in a good place and grateful to everyone who is helping me navigate this injury.’

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Tags: Birmingham 2022, Bobby Gavin, Eilish McColgan, Zoey Clark