There are careers in athletics – certainly at the top level – which barely last the full four-year extent of an Olympic cycle.
So Eilish McColgan’s achievement in being selected for her fourth Games with GB and NI commands attention and recognition.
Eilish becomes the first Scot in track and field to be picked four times with her selection now confirmed for the Women’s 10,000m in Paris.
She raced steeplechase at London 2012, the 5000m in Rio and the 10,000m in Tokyop.
Only three other female Scottish athletes have appeared at three Olympics – her mum, Liz McColgan; sprinter Lee McConnell and Steph Twell, with Steph’s first prior to confirming her Scottish eligibility.
Laura Muir now joins that particular elite company with Paris set to be her third Games,
But it is her Dundee Hawkhill Harriers club-mate who is now out in front of the ‘chasing pack’.
Fully twelve years on from London, the GB and NI selectors have been convinced of her readiness after recent injury problems and a DNF in Rome in the European Championship 10,000m final.
A 10k road run in Holland last weekend helped and now Eilish has another few weeks for additional training and preparation.
‘It really is a fantastic achievement for Eilish in terms of selection for four Olympics,’ said Mark Pollard, our Head of Performance.
‘You look back and the first time she was there was for London 20132 and racing the steeplechase at that time in her career.
‘It has been great to see her progression in the sport from that time and via 5000m and 10,000m appearances in Rio and Tokyo.
‘There is no doubt that repeat selection is a massive credit to Eilish herself, her coach and her team. It never comes easy and it has not been a straightforward journey for Eilish.
‘She has tried different events. She has had challenges around injury and illness, but the consistency is there. To keep coming back and to keep being at the level when the moment counts (for selection) demonstrates that consistency.
‘It is a huge compliment to her to be picked four times over a 12-year period.’
Tags:
Eilish McColgan, Olympics, Paris, Paris 2024
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