Local heroes! Scottish trio named for World Indoors in Glasgow

Monday 19th February 2024

Photos via Getty Images for British Athletics

British Athletics team selection announcement

Three top Scots will compete for GB and NI at the World Idoors in Glasgow

British Indoor champions Laura Muir and Jemma Reekie were named in the selection for the Emirates Arena after their gold medals in Birmingham less than 24 hours earlier.

And they will be joined by the Josh Kerr as the Men’s 1500m World Champion from Budapest this time takes on 3000m.

All three will harbour strong medal hopes and relish the special opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd in Glasgow – in the first ever global champs to be staged in Scotland.

We send our warm congratulations to all three athletes and their coaches (Steve Vernon – Laura; Jon Bigg – Jemma; Danny Mackey – Josh) and families.

We also note and celebrate the key development role by their initial clubs over a number of years – Dundee Hawkhill Harriers, Kilbarchan AAC and Edinburgh AC.

Unfortunately, Neil Gourley missed out through injury despite having an automatic selection via his performances indoors in 2023 when he won European silver.

Laura Muir won double gold at the European Indoors in Glasgow in 2019 (photo by Bobby Gavin)

‘It is very special for me to be there at the first global champs Scotland has hosted,’ said Laura, who will race the 3000m.

‘The new training group and new programme has been challenging after 12 years but it is going really well.

‘I am very excited to see what I can do in Glasgow and it is a big stepping stone on the road to Paris.

‘I take the pressure as an indicator of my success and try and use it to my advantage. I am very privileged to be in this position.’

Jemma Reekie helped launch the volunteering campaign for Glasgoew 2024 and will now race at the World Indoors (photo by Jeff Holmes)

It’s a homecoming, too, for Jemma and the 25-year-old delivered a superb performance on Sunday to clock a World Lead and Championship Record 1:58.24 to win in Birmingham.

‘I start on every start line to win and I will be doing that in Glasgow especially in front of a home crowd. I really want to get my first senior medal as I have been so close so I will take any medal but, of course, my eyes are on gold.

‘I get to go home after today and see my dogs which is really exciting after two months of training away. I need to recover well then get myself ready for the Champs.

‘I have been waiting for my time to come since Tokyo so, after Glasgow, everything will be all focused on Paris.’

Next stop Glasgow ?

Our team heading to @wicglasgow24 is official, click here to see the full squad ?? https://t.co/VHaOqgvJDE #WICGlasgow24 pic.twitter.com/ZV6Z3ylI4z

— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) February 19, 2024