WRITTEN FOR THE LONDON 2017 WEBSITE ON BEHALF OF BRITISH ATHLETICS
Following the extraordinary level of public support for home competitors at London 2012 and Glasgow 2014, some of Britain’s finest and most promising athletes have explained why they are looking forward to enjoying the same domestic advantage at London 2017.
Five years on from the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2017 IPC World Athletics Championships and IAAF World Athletics Championships will take place in the same Stratford stadium throughout July and August, as the British capital welcomes the global elite of track and field once again.
Three athletes – two of whom also competed in London 2012 – recently spoke of their pride of representing Team Scotland at Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games last July and revealed the benefits of participating on home territory:
European 400m hurdles champion, Eilidh Child claimed the Commonwealth silver medal in Glasgow after reaching the semi-final stage in London, and explained:
“Both Games were incredible – in London, you could never prepare yourself for how loud it was and morning sessions at championships used to be quiet affairs but London changed all of that as the sessions were completely sold out, and the vast majority were behind the Team GB athletes.
“It really did drive you on in your event and that helped prepare me for what was going to come in Glasgow – I was more prepared, knew what to expect and was actually able to prepare the younger athletes in Team Scotland.”
On dealing with the pressure of expectation, Child continued:
“I had a different pressure in Glasgow as people had me down as the poster girl of the Games, but I was able to block it all out with a good team around me so I just focused on doing my best as that’s all I could control.
“Once I crossed the line I was able to let it all out – the Hampden crowd was unbelievable and to do a lap of honour to celebrate my silver medal and see so many members of my family and friends is something I’ll never forget. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience.”
Eager to return to the London Olympic stadium, Child – who is aiming for a medal at this summer’s world championships in Beijing and in London 2017 – revealed:
“You want to experience home championships as often as you can as it really does push you on so to compete in London 2017 would be a great occasion and bring back all the great memories of London 2012 and Glasgow 2014.
“The British support will definitely be as great as 2012 as it’s in our DNA – we are just so passionate about sport no matter the championships, it will be another fantastic event for British sport.”
Another athlete keen on repeating her London appearance is Eilish McColgan, who finished sixth in the 3,000m steeplechase in Glasgow following her first-round heat exit in London:
“London for me was pretty special because it was my first ever major competition and the Olympic Games,” McColgan explained.
“I had grown up watching the Olympics and so the fact I was actually at the Games never really sunk in until afterwards – It was an amazing experience and one I’ll always remember.
“Glasgow was unique in a sense that my entire family and even some of my friends and old training partners could all come watch me compete! With the majority of my races being abroad – it was the first time they could all watch me live rather than on the TV.
“My gran, who watched my mum (1991 world 10,000m champion, Liz McColgan) compete in the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, was able to come watch me which truly was special! Having the home crowd really did make the difference.”
Now aiming for her third straight major championship on British soil, McColgan continued:
“Having three home championships in my lifetime is very unique for an athlete to have so I am very fortunate to (hopefully) experience all of them!
“I’m certain the support of the British crowd at London 2017 will be the same as London 2012 – with the emphasis being just on athletics, the crowd will be there to watch just that, rather than being there for the Olympic Games experience.”
One athlete hoping to capitalise on the home advantage in Glasgow this weekend is Guy Learmonth, who competed for Scotland over 800m at the Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match last weekend.
Sixth in the Commonwealth Games two-lap final, Learmonth enjoyed a memorable senior major championships debut in Glasgow last July:
“Competing for Scotland in a home Games is something I will never forget and will cherish for the rest of my life,” he recalled.
“The energy and enthusiasm, and the buzz and support from the crowd was surreal – I really did feed off every single supporter, as I had to dig deep to qualify for the final. The crowd spurred me on dramatically down the home straight and carried me across the line then I erupted with joy – I guess that was me saying thanks to 45,000 people!
Determined to compete in the Olympic stadium at London 2017, Learmonth continued:
“I have very high ambitions of being at London 2017, especially after the Rio Olympics in 2016 which I’m working extremely hard towards.
“I missed out on qualifying for London in 2012 so I want to experience the same level of support and energy as I experienced in Glasgow at the world championships.
“The home support either makes or breaks us but personally, I thrive off the pressure and love having it – the whole stadium is in your corner and I hope to use the crowd again for a positive outcome.”
