Glasgow-bound! Jemma in a good place ahead of World Indoors

Tuesday 27th February 2024

Photo by Getty Images for British Athletics

Jemma set sights on the World Indoors (September 2023 story)

The World Champs in Budapest and the Diamond Leagues were still very much fresh in the mind when Jemma Reekie rocked up to the Emirates Arena in September last year.

Jemma was on promotional duty for the World Indoors alongside event ambassador Eilidh Doyle.

Together they waved the flag for volunteer applications for the Glasgow event before the Scottish 800m runner out-lined her own ambitions.

This week newly-crowned British champion Jemma returns to the venue where she completed hundreds – no, thousands – of track reps in training with a World Lead and Championship record under her belt.

‘I always wanted to race Glasgow,’ said Jemma. ‘I thrived on the crowd at the London Diamond League meet last year so of course you want to race in front of a home support.

‘It has been a good indoor season so far and I’ve not had a good one for a few years before this.

‘I think I am ready for it and I will have family and friends in the stadium cheering me on.

‘The atmosphere will be amazing I am sure and we don’t get that opportunity all that often in our careers.

‘There are medals up for grabs and I want to try and take one of them – hopefully the gold. I’m really excited for it.

‘The Olympics are coming up later in the year and we see Glasgow as a help towards that and I am in good shape. It’s not easy to get selected and get the vest so I am pleased to be in the team.

‘Scottish athletes are doing well and I keep my eye on younger ones coming through at the clubs.

‘Hopefully they will feel inspired by us. And hopefully those who don’t normally watch athletes will see what’s happening at the World indoors and take more of an interest in the future.’