Laura lands 2015 European Indoors bronze – nine years after the race

Friday 5th January 2024

Laura Muir celebrates double gold from the European Indoors in Belgrade in March 2017 – but her first international medal was actually achieved two years earlier (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Chris lands another Euro medal (our report on European Indoors in March 2015)

By Peter Jardine, Head of Communications

Laura Muir is to receive another significant addition to her collection of international medals – after a gap of almost nine years.

European Athletics have confirmed to scottishathletics there is to be a reallocation of medals from the Women’s 3000m at the 2015 European Indoors in the Czech Republic.

Laura finished fourth in the final in Prague but it was announced in November by the Athletics Integrity Unit that race winner Yelena Korobkina had been found guilty of doping offences.

The Russian athlete has been banned for four years (from September 2023) and will have her results expunged for a period of three years (from July 2013 to July 2016).

That timespan thus covers the 2015 European Indoors and the Scot will now receive a newly-issued bronze medal with gold for Sviatlana Kudzelich of Belarus and silver for Maureen Koster of Holland.

‘Hearing the news that I will be receiving a championship medal almost a decade after the race itself is one of mixed emotions,’ Laura told scottishathletics.

‘Predominantly I feel very fortunate and grateful to receive the bronze medal, particularly when still competing at an elite level, as I am aware many athletes are not afforded that opportunity.

‘Had I received the medal on the day of the race in Prague in 2015, it would have been my first senior international medal at an age of 21 years old.

‘Missing out on that special moment, especially as I was not on the podium on the night, was very difficult. But, looking back, it made me more determined than ever to ensure the same outcome didn’t happen for future championships. Which luckily has been the case!

Laura Muir’s most recent international medal was European Indoor gold in Istanbul in 2023 (photo via European Athletics/Getty Images)

‘I would like to say a massive thank you to all those involved in the process which results in the medal now being awarded to me.

‘I cannot emphasise or explain how much it means to the athletes to have the results rectified and the medals awarded to those who compete within the rules of our sport.

‘So I am very excited to see that particular European Indoors 2015 medal and it will have a proud place alongside my other sporting accomplishments.’

At the time, it would have been the first significant international medal of Laura’s career and of course it is a great shame she was denied that podium moment back in 2015.

Now, however, a reallocated medal ceremony will be arranged to try and give due acknowledgement of the achievement.

The 2015 Euro Indoor bronze means Laura is now at a quite magnificent tally of 14 significant podium moments across Worlds, European, Commonwealth and Olympics (plus two further Diamond League victories).

It also means Laura won an international medal every year from 2015 to 2023 with the exception of 2016 (and the Covid-hit 2020).

Laura Muir’s Medal Haul . . .

2023 European Indoors 1500m gold Istanbul

2022 World Champs 1500m bronze Oregon

2022 Commonwealth Games 800m bronze and 1500m gold Birmingham

2022 European Champs 1500m gold Munich

2021 Olympics 1500m silver Tokyo

2019 European Indoors 1500m gold and 3000m gold Glasgow

2018 European Champs 1500m gold Berlin

2018 World Indoors 1500m silver and 3000m bronze Birmingham

2017 European Indoors 1500m gold and 3000m gold Belgrade

2015 European Indoors 1500m bronze Prague

The AIU has banned Yelena Korobkina (Russia) for 4 years, from 27 September 2023, for Use of a Prohibited Substance/Method (McLaren and LIMS evidence). DQ results from 2 July 2013 until 24 July 2016.

Details here: https://t.co/nOjqVpYnCT pic.twitter.com/Fw9IvJWyFG

— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) November 6, 2023