Natasha fourth Euro U20s; Laura, Eilidh on Perth mural

Friday 11th August 2023

Natsha Phillips in action at the Scottish 10-Mile Champs earlier this year (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Three young Scots competed for GB and NI at the European U20 Champs in Israel earlier this week – with Natasha Phillips making an excellent international debut.

The 18-year-old came up with a fine run for fourth place in the Women’s 5000m final in Jerusalem.

Dundee Hawkhill Harriers athlete Natasha represented GB and NI for the first time and did so with distinction as she came home in 16:23.63.

‘It has been a long wait – some people were done on Monday – it is tough waiting until the end,’ said Natasha.

‘I am really pleased and what an incredible experience. Fourth in Europe sounds pretty good and I was ranked fourth coming in and I came fourth, so I have held on to my place.’

Conan Harper was 17th in the Men’s 5000m event. The Giffnock North AC athlete clocked 14:46.20.

Earlier in the week, Tendai Nyabadza had raced in the Men’s 1500m for GB and NI. Unfortunately, the Harmeny AC athlete didn’t progress from the heat. Tendai as it happens is very young in the U20 age bracket this season.

Well done to all three athletes and their families, coaches and clubs on competing at the European U20 Champs and picking up important international experience.

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Photo by Alan Farnington

Work has been completed on a new mural in Perth which features four top female athletes – including our own Laura Muir and Eilidh Doyle.

Commissioned by Perth and Kinross Council and created by Glasgow-based artists Rogue One and Ali Smith, founder of public art organisation ArtPistol Projects, the work pays tribute to Eilidh, Laura, Mili Smith MBE and Eve Muirhead OBE.

The piece was originally planned back in 2019 by scottishathletics as a way of celebrating home-grown athletes, however the work was delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Council and Culture Perth and Kinross decided to pursue the commission following the original brief and promotion of sport and exercise while celebrating the fantastic accomplishments of these four women.

Using an expressive backdrop of the Olympic colours in an energetic mix with a subtle overlay of the rings abstracted. The portraits are in black and white to represent their timeless achievements, which will contrast with the colour and energy of the Olympics continuing indefinitely.

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Tags: Conan Harper, Eilidh Doyle, European U20 Champs, Laura Muir, Natasha Phillips, Tendai Nyabadza