Laura: "I gave it all I could"

Published: 8 August 2017

The University's Laura Muir says she was "so close" to getting a medal in last night's 1500 metres final at the IAAF World Championships in London.

The University's Laura Muir says she was "so close" to getting a medal in last night's 1500 metres final at the IAAF World Championships in London.

Millions watched on TV and a huge social media audience also cheered her on, as she took the lead from the very start of the race.  Sadly it ended in disappointment when @lauramuirruns was just edged out of the medal places in the final moments of the nail-biting race.

Laura told the Scottish Athletics website: "You know it’s fourth, what can I say?"

"I gave it everything I had but ran out of energy in the last 50 metres as they came past. Considering the disruption I had this year, I did all I could. I knew it was close. Everything happened so late in the race so I couldn’t react. I was so close to getting a medal. I knew the likes of Caster, Sifan and Faith would take it out first lap so I stayed with the pace and on the second lap I tried to make sure I didn’t use too much energy."

"Gutted but happy"

Speaking of her set-backs this year, Laura said: "I was in the pool for two weeks (while injured) and missed sessions for the best part of three weeks so you wonder if that would have made a difference, but I had a lot of support from my coach (Andy Young) and the British Athletics Medical Staff so I am very grateful I am able to be here and to compete for a medal. I’m gutted but happy to be here!"

Scottish Athletics commented: "It should be stressed: Scottish medals in individual events at the World Champs are not rare – they are in the minority of one – Liz McColgan’s 10,000m gold in Tokyo in 1991. So fourth place for Laura actually ranks very highly indeed in terms of the history."

Laura is due to run again on Thursday 10 August at 6.30 pm in the 5000 metres heats. The final is Sunday.

Image of Laura Muir competing in the 1500 metres, courtesy Scottish Athletics


First published: 8 August 2017