Photo by Bobby Gavin
Lynsey Sharp has called time on a superb track career.
The double Olympian, and former European champion and Commonwealth Games medallist, has taken the decision after initially making a comeback following motherhood.
But now Lynsey, who has son Max with husband Andy Butchart, will focus on ‘other priorities’ in her life.
Tributes flooded in from top names in the sport after the Edinburgh AC athlete posted on social media yesterday and all at scottishathletics would like to add: ‘Thanks for the memories and good luck for the future.’
The daughter of top Scots Cameron and Carol, Lynsey had a stellar career at 800m which included a European title in 2012 and silver two years later.
Silver medal was a big reward at Hampden at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games after being ill in the preceding 24 hours – and a National Record in the 2016 Olympic final was another top class performance.
‘Throughout my career I was often asked about the sacrifices I had made to be an athlete – I never saw these life choices as sacrifices; I didn’t want to spend my time doing anything else,’ said Lynsey.
‘Time goes on and your priorities change. Now I do feel I’m making sacrifices in other aspects of my life in order to continue pursuing my athletics career.
‘And that’s why I know now is the right time to hang up my spikes. I’ve given it everything I’m willing to give; mentally, physically and financially.
As with any sports career, it’s been a rocky road. The highest of highs and some very low points. Every single experience has shaped me into the person I am today and I will always be thankful for everything this sport has taught me.
‘I have travelled the world, made lifelong friends, trained with some of the best athletes in the world and raced in front of some pretty insane crowds.’
Lynsey raced indoors at the Emirates early in 2023 and had a few outdoor runs over the summer, too. But she feels the time is right to finish.
‘I wanted this comeback after Max to go better and, if I made a lot of sacrifices, I could definitely race for another season,’ she said.
‘But this isn’t something you can do half hearted. You can be a mum and an athlete but it’s really hard . . . and you have to really want to do it. So respect all the athlete mums out there even more than you already do.
‘It’s taken me months to come to this…
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