Hannah Miley has announced her retirement from competitive swimming.
Miley enjoyed an illustrious career as part of Team Scotland, starting with the 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games and finishing at the Gold Coast in 2018.
The Youth Games, held in Bendigo, Australia, was a springboard for the Inverurie swimmer, taking home a silver and two bronze medals before going on to make her full Commonwealth Games debut with a fourth placed finish in Melbourne 2006.
She pushed on to win gold at both the Dehli 2010 and Glasgow 2014 Games, becoming the first Scot to win Commonwealth swimming gold in Scotland with a memorable home swim, before winning a third straight 400m individual medley medal with silver at Gold Coast 2018.
Miley also has three Olympic appearances to add to the four Commonwealth Games events, finishing 6th, 5th and 4th at the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016 respectively.
The most decorated Scottish swimmer ever, with 28 medals at World, European and Commonwealth levels, she also held Scottish records on all four strokes and medley during her career, and is still the Scottish standard bearer in seven events covering medley and all strokes barring backstroke.
Hannah said: “There’s a special place these victories have in my heart and it’s not just the medal wins. The 2014 one especially, I will never forget hearing the crowd crystal clear underwater on that last 50m turn. Those are the moments that mean so much to me.
“There is something quite powerful when a Scot hears the national anthem, you take stock of the hard work and effort that has gone in to be able to enjoy that moment.”
Jon Doig, Chief Executive Officer at Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: “We wish Hannah the very best in the next lap of her career.
“She is an inspiration not only for what she has achieved but how she has done it and is a fantastic ambassador for Team Scotland.
“She will be recognised as a giant of Scottish sport.”
Ahead of this weekend’s Autumn Nations Series, Commonwealth Games Scotland has announced that both the women’s and men’s Rugby Sevens squads have qualified for next year’s Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Whilst the men’s sport made its debut at Kuala Lumpur 1998, it is the first time that Team Scotland have competed in the women’s competition, since the women’s game was first introduced to the Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast 2018.
The women’s side achieved an invite to Birmingham after a strong performance at the Rugby Europe Sevens Championship Series in Moscow earlier this year, placing fourth overall. The men’s side qualified through World Rugby Sevens Series standings.
Rising star of the game Shona Campbell, who gained her first Scotland cap earlier this year at the 2021 Rugby Europe Sevens Championship Series in Lisbon, is looking forward to making history next summer.
“As a squad we are really happy to have secured qualification for Scotland at the next year’s Commonwealth Games.
“There is something very special about pulling on a Scotland jersey and it will be even more special next year knowing that we are making history and flying the flag for Scotland for the first time in the competition. I hope that we can put in a strong performance and make the nation proud”.
Scotland men’s best ever finish at the Commonwealth Games was 6th place at both Delhi 2010 and Gold Coast 2018 and the squad will be aiming to surpass previous achievements in Birmingham.
Experienced Scotland Sevens player, Jamie Farndale, who made his Commonwealth Games debut in 2018 before travelling to the Sevens World Cup in San Francisco the same year, has fond memories of the Gold Coast Games.
“Representing Scotland in any competition is a real honour and a real moment of pride for athletes as well as their families and coaching staff.
“There is something quite special about the Commonwealth Games and we’re looking forward to playing next year.”
Congratulating the squad on their success, Elinor Middlemiss, Team Scotland Chef de Mission said:
“Our huge congratulations to everyone at Scottish Rugby on securing qualification for both the men’s and women’s Rugby Sevens squads.
“I have no doubt that thousands of fans in Birmingham and back home will be get behind these sporting heroes and share in our collective pride in what the women in particular have achieved already.”
The news of the women’s team’s historic qualification has been announced during Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week, which aims to encourage more women into sport and physical activity.
Maree Todd, Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport, said:
“It is a fantastic achievement for Scotland to have both the men and women’s teams taking part in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens.
“Rugby continues to grow in Scotland, particularly with more women and girls playing rugby, and seeing both teams competing in the Commonwealth Games will allow them to dream about following in the players’ footsteps, playing for their country and potentially bringing back medals.
“I would like to wish both teams the best of luck, and like many, am looking forward to watching them next summer.”
The Rugby Sevens competition runs from Friday 29th July to Sunday 31st July at the Coventry Stadium, home of Premiership rugby team Wasps.
A number of current and prospective Team Scotland athletes were in action over the weekend – we look back at some of the highlights.
Cycling
Gold, silver and two bronze for Katie Archibald and two bronze medals for Neah Evans were the Scottish highlights from a hugely successful outing for the Great Britain Cycling team at the World Track Cycling Championships in Roubaix, France.
After gold and silver at the Olympic Games and three gold medals at the European Championships earlier this month, Archibald capped an outstanding year with a dominant display to take the World Omnium title for the second time, the first coming in 2017. Silver in the Points race completed a packed schedule that also saw her team up with Evans, Megan Barker and Josie Knight in the Team Pursuit and a second bronze with Evans in the Madison.
Archibald’s total of four medals equals the best ever haul by a British women at a single World Championships.
Judo
Dylan Munro (-60kg) and Malin Wilson (-57kg) picked up their second medals in as many weeks as they both won silver medals at the Malaga European Open. For Wilson it was a repeat of her silver last weekend in Dubrovnik while Munro went one better than last week’s bronze medal win with back-to-back podium finishes setting him up well for next month’s European U23 Championships.
Badminton
Kirsty Gilmour put in a string of superb performances in Odense to reach the Women’s Singles semi-finals of the Victor Denmark Open, the first time a singles player from Scotland has ever got to the semi-final of a tournament at this level.
Gilmour defeated last week’s Dutch Open winner Kristin Kuuba of Estonia, followed by a thrilling 21-18, 20-22, 26-24 win over Kim Gaeun of South Korea and another three-game match with Clara Azurmendi of Spain to reach the last four. She pushed her World top-ten ranked South Korean opponent An Seyoung all the way before going down 13-21, 21-12, 16-21.
Alexander Dunn and Adam Hall advanced to the second round of the men’s doubles after beating French pair Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar in straight sets. Hall partnered Julie MacPherson in the Mixed Doubles, with MacPherson also in action with Ciara Torrance in the Women’s Doubles.
Gilmour, Hall and Dunn will be back in action next week at the YONEX French Open in Paris.
Squash
Rory Stewart won a five set battle with England’s Sam Todd in the final of the Texas Open to take his biggest title to date. Stewart emerged victorious 12-10 10-12 17-19 11-5 11-3 after a gruelling 80 minutes of play.
Alison Thomson was also on top form, winning her first PSA title at the Gibraltar Open without dropping a game. Katriona Allen was also in action, progressing to the quarter-finals where top seed Tessa ter Sluis proved too strong.
Hockey
While neither side took one of the coveted spots at the 2023 World Cup, third place for Scotland’s women and fifth for the men was a positive outing at the World Cup European Qualifiers. The women’s tournament was held in Pisa and the Scots began well, winning 3-0 over Poland to progress to the semi-finals. There they faced Wales for a place in the final and a chance to play for the single World Cup place on offer. After a goalless draw after normal time, it went to running penalties where Scottish hopes were ended as the Welsh took it 3-1. The third-place play-off saw Scotland rally well to defeat Belarus 2-1 and end their campaign on a high.
Meanwhile in Cardiff the men’s side faced Austria in their opening game, with recent form suggesting this would be a close match. Close it certainly was and, for the second time in as many months, the sides drew in normal time with the Austrians winning in a shoot-out. The cruel knock-out format of these qualifiers meant this was the end of World Cup hopes as Scotland entered the play-offs for 5th-8th place. They put all that frustration into their next two games, beating Poland 10-2 before also taking the win over Russia 4-2 to move above them in the world rankings.
Scots with the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in their sights will be in World, European and domestic sporting action this weekend. Here are just four events to look out for:
Cycling
Three Scots: Katie Archibald, Neah Evans and Ali Fielding are competing at the 2021 Track Cycling World Championships in Roubaix, France. The championships began on Wednesday with Fielding finishing fifth as part of the GB Team Sprint, while Evans and Archibald took bronze in the Team Pursuit. There are plenty more medals up for grabs across the weekend with the competition running right through until Sunday.
How to watch: You can watch all the action from the 2021 Track Cycling World Championships in Roubaix, France live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, the Red Button and the BBC Sport website and app. Full details can be found on the BBC website: UCI Track Cycling World Championships: Schedule and BBC coverage times – BBC Sport
Hockey
Teams are battling it out this weekend at the World Cup European Qualifiers for prized slots at the 2023 FIH Hockey World Cup. The top team in the women’s event, taking place in Pisa, will take a World Cup place as will the top two teams in the men’s event which takes place in Cardiff.
Scotland’s women are into the semi-finals where they will face Wales/Italy after a convincing 3-0 win in their opening match against Poland. The men’s side had an agonising loss to Austria, ranked one place higher in the World rankings, in their opening match. With no score in open play, it went to running penalties with Austria taking the win 3-2. Next up for the men is the 5th -8th place play-off where they face Poland.
How to watch: All games will be live-streamed on EuroHockeyTV.org
Friday 22 Oct: Men’s 5th-8th Play-offs: Scotland v Poland 16:00
Saturday 23 Oct: Women’s Semi-Finals: Scotland v Wales 13:30
Sunday 24 Oct: Women’s Final (15:30) or 3rd/4th play off (13:00)
Men’s 5th-8th Play-offs Match 2 either 9.30am or 12pm
Netball
Scottish Thistles, led by returning Captain Claire Maxwell, will take on South Africa in Lisburn on Friday 22nd October in their first outing against World top five opposition since 2019. Head Coach Tamsin Greenway has named an 11-player squad ahead of this crucial match play opportunity as they continue with their preparations for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
How to follow: The game gets underway at 7.30pm and Netball Scotland will be providing live updates throughout the game on their social media accounts.
Table Tennis
Scottish titles are on the line this weekend as the Scottish Table Tennis National Championships take place at Bells Sports Centre in Perth. First up are the senior players who are in action on Saturday with the junior events on Sunday. Several former and prospective Team Scotland athletes will be in action with the high-quality line-up expected to produce some exciting matches.
How to watch: Spectators are welcome at Bell’s Sports Centre, Perth with free entry. Events will also be covered across Table Tennis Scotland social media channels. Play starts at 9am both days with a provisional schedule available here: Nationals Draw and Schedule – Table Tennis Scotland
With preparations well underway for Birmingham 2022, Commonwealth Games Scotland is recruiting for various roles as we strengthen the team.
Voluntary vacancies are currently open for multi-sport media managers, team physiotherapists, team doctors and Achieve 2022 mentors.
For full information on all roles, including role and person descriptions, please visit the Recruitment section of our website.
Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by The Earl of Wessex, launched the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay on its global journey today in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace attended by athlete Batonbearers from each of the Home Nations, young flagbearers from the West Midlands, the Birmingham 2022 Hometown Heroes and representatives from across the Commonwealth.
The Queen placed Her message to the Commonwealth into the Baton, for it to be sealed and locked and will now visit all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth over the next 294 days, covering 90,000 miles. The journey will conclude at the Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on 28 July 2022 where the Queen’s message will be read out in full.
Four-time Paralympic gold medallist, Kadeena Cox, had the honour of being the first Batonbearer to receive the Baton from The Queen, marking the official start of the 16th Queen’s Baton Relay. She then handed on to a team of athletes from across the Home Nations who continued the journey from the Palace to Marlborough House.
Team Scotland was represented by two-time Commonwealth Games hockey player Sarah Robertson, who marked her Olympic debut with a bronze medal in Tokyo this summer. She was paired with Team England gymnast Alice Kinsella on the third leg of the relay, receiving the Baton from Team England squash player Declan James and Team Wales boxer Lauren Price and handing over to Team Northern Ireland cyclist Mark Downey.
The ceremony, hosted by BBC Asian Network presenter Noreen Khan, included performances from Birmingham-based acapella group Black Voices, a live-streamed performance from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and the Birmingham Poet Laureate and Birmingham 2022 Legacy and Benefits Committee member Casey Bailey wrote and performed a poem called “Take It On”.
As it nears the end of its journey next year, the Baton will be in Scotland between 17-23 June 2022 and the arrival of the Baton on Scottish soil will bring the Games one step closer for athletes and supporters. Plans are already underway for an exciting programme of events and a chance for supporters to get behind Team Scotland in the lead up to the Games. More details will be announced in due course.
Commonwealth Games Federation President Dame Louise Martin DBE said: “I am absolutely delighted we have finally arrived at this special moment, the launch of the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay!
“This is a very important day for Commonwealth Sport as the message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visits our 72 nations and territories in this unique Baton. Traveling for 294 days, and covering 140,000 kilometres, the Queen’s Baton Relay provides Birmingham and the West Midlands the opportunity to showcase itself on a global scale.
“It marks the final countdown to the Birmingham 2022 Opening Ceremony on 28 July and provides hope, harmony and cooperation across the Commonwealth at a time when it is needed most.”
Birmingham 2022 will welcome 4,500 athletes from 72 nations and territories for 11 days of spectacular sport, from 28 July – 8 August 2022.
For more information on the Queen’s Baton Relay and to follow the Baton’s journey, visit birmingham2022.com/qbr
We’ve grown up together.
The same people that travelled the length and breadth of the country together as kids. All the cross-countries, the indoors, the Scottish schools’ events. So it’s really cool that we’re now making the senior team together – we’re still here, still running fast, and the standard keeps improving.
To wear a Scottish vest and know you’re on the starting line with people you’ve grown up with…it’s just really unique, I can’t put into words what it means.
We’re very patriotic towards it, the Scottish athletes. You’ll be stretched to find one that doesn’t want to make the Commonwealth Games team. It’s a high priority for us – we want to be there, we want to be competing for Scotland and we want to win medals for Scotland.
We don’t get to compete for Scotland in any championship other than the Commonwealth Games. It makes it a little bit more special.
We’ve got a lot of the same people who’ve been competing at the top for a long while, like Laura, and now you’ve got someone like Jemma also coming through to that level. I shared with Jemma and Laura in Tokyo – it was just incredible to see how hard they work every single day. That motivates you.
We watched Josh and Laura at the Olympics, Jemma on the brink of a medal too. To have that at Olympic level is pretty special for such a small nation.
Tokyo for me was a little bit disappointing. I had trained so hard this year, I was in the best shape of my life. But I didn’t quite hit the targets I’d set myself.
It can go one of two ways, when you have a disappointment. You either sack it off and do nothing at all, go on holiday and forget about it. Or you have renewed motivation to get out there and showcase the fitness you’ve got. I did the latter.
I felt like I had, not a point to prove to anyone, but a point to prove to myself. That it was a one off. A relatively bad championship, fine, but that fitness hadn’t disappeared.
If anything this year has given me the extra boost to break into a medal position at the Commonwealth Games.
I’m under no illusion – the Commonwealth Games for distance running is tough. Some of the Kenyan athletes are the best in the world – we’ve just watched them win Olympic medals, be close to world records, so I know it’s going to be difficult.
I’ve been sixth, I think, in every Commonwealth Games I’ve done, over three events. I’ve done steeplechase, 1500 and the 5k – this will be my fourth event over three Games so it would be nice to upgrade that sixth place to a medal position!
Every race now I’m running PBs and getting faster and faster. I broke the British record for 5k earlier in the year and that’s ranked me higher in the world than I’ve ever been before. I’m confident there’s a medal there.
And that would be a nice way to, not end my career on track, but certainly, I’ll be looking to the roads after 2022.
I feel it’s the perfect time.
I’d love to win a medal for Scotland.
Eilish McColgan was speaking after being selected as the first members of Team Scotland for Birmingham 2022, alonsgside Laura Muir, Jemma Reekie, Josh Kerr, Jake Wightman and Andy Butchart.
I didn’t do it for the medal. I did it for the memories.
The thing with getting a medal – I wanted to say thanks. It felt like, if I was able to get the medal I could take it and say: “OK, my whole career has been working towards doing this – I can give something back.”
They’d sacrificed so much during my childhood, my parents. They’d drive me to places, pay for stuff, pay for coaching, sit there in the rain and watch me train. Guide me, feed me. Give me the advice to go out there and do stuff.
I left home when I was 17. For the last six years I’ve not lived anywhere near my family. During Covid I said to them – “I’m going to win at the Olympics, and that’s the reason I’m not coming home.” And they were fine with that.
That first medal, I could say: “This is for everything you’ve done for me.” I needed to get that medal. It was everything. I felt like I was there. I needed it. And I needed it for them.
I mean they would never, you know…if I never made the Olympics or made it professional or whatever…they would never need it. But for me it was: “They’ve done so much for me, I need to give you that.”
The first race was bad.
We knew I wasn’t going to feel great, but we didn’t expect seventh in the prelim. I said this in my interviews after the race, and I really hope it didn’t go out on the BBC. I said I didn’t care if I don’t go through. That was the most embarrassing moment of my life, right there. I didn’t deserve to go through, that was my reaction to it.
That was bad and I get what I deserve if I don’t go through.
When you make those mistakes you just need to own up to them. That was a bad round, probably one of the worst races I’ve ran in the last four years. But without that performance I like to think I wouldn’t have medalled.
It made me laser-focused after that. You’re not going to get anything handed to you, first round or not. When you go into the final and you’re like “I might not have been here.”
So I can risk more.
I’m going to throw everything at this. I’m going to risk being last – just go for it.
It was one of those races where you were in it, but I would have loved to have watched it as well. You look around you and it was the who’s who of the last three years in the 1500, they should all be in this race.
With 500 to go it was hunting season – let’s get after it, let’s get these guys in front of me. With 250 to go, if I’m being honest…
There was a moment in 2019 where I could have medalled but didn’t have the strength to medal. So all that was going through my mind was “You never let that happen to you again.” That’s what I’ve been telling myself for two years now, this just never happens again. So it went through my head and I thought “This is great, ‘cos I feel awesome.”
I could see the guys ahead of me and I thought – focus on bronze right now. Kipsang is really good – I was sitting on him and we were gaining on the top two. I could have swung wide and gone earlier and tried for silver. You swing wide, you go for it. The reason Kipsang was fourth was because he gave up with 50m to go because he wasn’t going to get third. It wasn’t that he was tired, he just knew he wasn’t going to beat me. He pulled up and knew he had fourth. But if I’d gone past him in the last 100 and fell apart, if he’d smelled blood he could have gone after me and I’d have ended up fourth.
Once I knew I had third that’s when I went for second. People might blame me for that but to be honest it would have been easier for me to have been fourth than second there, 100%.
Mum’s very outwardly emotional watching me race. Dad’s the complete opposite. He doesn’t want to show his emotions until I’ve crossed the finish line. That day Dad was shouting his head off with 300 to go.
Me and Jake [Wightman] had a nice hug after, and he congratulated me. He was very excited for me but I could tell…he’s so good, and I think he just wasn’t strong enough in that moment to do those three races. He’s a legend, he was super nice and he held his emotions to himself. If you didn’t know him you couldn’t tell, but that’s gonna light a fire in him.
If I’d watched him get a medal…he could easily have medalled on the day… I’d obviously have been extremely proud of him, but it’s like, in those situations when you’re at the highest level of your sport and watching people do what you want to do, it’s tough. There’s nothing I could have said or done – he knows he’s going back to work to put himself into that situation.
Getting a medal off my back is a good thing coming into the next three years. Because, I’ve never ran for third, I didn’t run for third in that race, I ended up in a battle for third. But I know that now that’s done I’m gonna be able to risk a lot more, do riskier tactics to go for gold. If you’re not going to risk anything you’re not going to gain anything.
Because that’s the end result.
You’re running to be the best in the world.
Josh was speaking to co-cost David Ribich on their podcast ‘Sit and Kick’. Click HERE to listen and subscribe.
Josh is one of the first six athletes selected to Team Scotland for Birmingham 2022 alongside Laura Muir, Jemma Reekie, Eilish McColgan, Jake Wightman and Andy Butchart – read more HERE.
Representing your country is one of the biggest honours of a sportsperson’s career.
A time of pride and of passion; putting years of practice into the performance of a life time.
With less than 300 days to go to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, for some very special athletes that dream is closer to becoming a reality.
Millions watched and cheered on our Scottish sporting heroes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games; from Duncan Scott becoming the most decorated Team GB athlete at a single Games to the track achievements of Laura Muir and Josh Kerr. Or Neil Fachie adding to successes in London and Rio, to Micky Yule picking up his first Paralympic medal.
But a hero’s job is about more than winning medals. It’s about inspiring the nation – young and old – to get off the sofa and give it a go. To battle adversity, persevere and come out the other side.
Renowned poet Len Pennie, recent winner of the Scots Performer o’ the Year at the Scots Language Awards, has composed a special poem for Team Scotland, entitled “A Hero’s Job”. You can read the poem in full HERE or watch our campaign video below.
The video brings to life the moments of inspiration from past and present Team Scotland athletes that spark the next generation, and recognises the role of parents, clubs and coaches in their development.
Our thanks to Len and videographer Ross McLeod for their work on the project, to Edinburgh AC and Lothian Phoenix for accommodating our filming and to our star performers Joseph, Elizabeth, Adam, Aiden, Cain, Max, Sam, Josh, Finlay and Charlie.
The countdown is on and all roads lead to Birmingham – it’s Time for Heroes.
With under 300 days to go until Birmingham 2022, a stellar line-up of track stars are the first athletes to be selected for Team Scotland for next summer’s Commonwealth Games.
Laura Muir, Josh Kerr, Jake Wightman, Eilish McColgan, Jemma Reekie and Andy Butchart have all been selected on the back of outstanding performances at the Tokyo Olympic Games, with an even split of those with past Commonwealth Games experience and those making their Team Scotland debut.
Tokyo 1,500m silver medallist Laura Muir has come a long way from the young athlete who competed at Glasgow 2014 and, having missed Gold Coast in 2018 to concentrate on her veterinary medicine exams, she is full of ambition to add a Commonwealth Games medal to her collection. She is also no stranger to success in the Games’ host city, taking World Indoor silver and bronze medals at Arena Birmingham three years ago.
Reflecting on her selection Laura said “I’m absolutely delighted to have been selected to represent Team Scotland at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
“Representing Scotland is always a very special honour and my aim is very much to go for gold next summer. Birmingham is a city which holds some great memories for me, including winning silver and bronze medals at the World Indoors three years ago, so I’m really looking forward to the Games.”
Fellow Tokyo medalist Josh Kerr is set to make his Team Scotland debut in Birmingham after becoming the first British man in 33 years to win an Olympic medal in the 1,500m. He shattered his personal best to win bronze in 3.29.05, not just a new Scottish record but only a quarter of a second away from Mo Farah’s British best.
Kerr, who races for Edinburgh AC, said, “I’m really proud to have been selected to represent Team Scotland next summer at my first Commonwealth Games. Representing Scotland has always been a dream for me and I’m really pleased that I get to do it at a Games so close to home.
“I have no doubt the atmosphere will be electric and I’m looking forward to bringing a medal home to Scotland.”
Dundee’s Eilish McColgan will compete at her third Commonwealth Games and is full of confidence on the back of a season that saw her erase Paula Radcliffe’s long-standing British 5,000m record in Oslo and record her best ever Olympic result in Tokyo with 9th place in the 10,000m. She has carried that form onto the road, placing third on the British all-time list for both 10,000m and the half-marathon in recent weeks.
Speaking about her selection Eilish said, “For us in Scotland the Commonwealth Games are important. It’s special, it’s unique, it’s different and something we all want to do.
“The standard in Scotland at distance events is getting stronger and stronger. A lot of us have grown up together – that’s part of what makes being part of Team Scotland a little bit special.
“We have travelled the length and breadth of the country together, grown up together and we’re still here, still running fast and the standard is continuing to improve.”
Jake Wightman is named for a third Games appearance after bagging a brilliant 1500m bronze on the final night of track and field at Gold Coast 2018. Having seen long-time friend and club mate Kerr take his Scottish record in Tokyo, he will be keen to renew that rivalry as he aims for another podium finish in Birmingham.
Jemma Reekie has had a meteoric rise in the sport over the last few years from European Junior champion in 2017 to fourth place at her first Olympics in Tokyo this summer. Double European U23 champion in 2019, she hit the headlines in February 2020 with three British indoor records in the space of a week over the 800m, 1500m and Mile and will be one to watch as she competes at her first Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Another making his Team Scotland debut in Birmingham will be Andy Butchart, having had to withdraw through injury after being named for Gold Coast. Selection comes at a busy time for the double Olympian as he is set to become a father for the first time this month with partner Lynsey Sharp.
Elinor Middlemiss, Team Scotland Chef de Mission, said: “We are delighted to welcome our first athletes to Team Scotland for Birmingham 2022. Glasgow and Gold Coast were very successful for athletics and with such a high-calibre line-up showing their commitment to the Commonwealth Games in this first wave of selections, I am confident of another strong result in Birmingham.
“Congratulations to all athletes selected, as well as their families, clubs and coaches, and we look forward to Team Scotland 2022 taking shape over the coming months.”
All athletes named today have been confirmed following nominations from Scottish Athletics and subsequent ratification by Commonwealth Games Scotland.