Support act: Eilish on hand to help Megan after tough night in Paris
Eilish McColgan wrote her way into athletics history in Scotland with an appearance at her fourth Olympics in Paris last summer.
Making the Stade de France start line was an achievement in itself after a 2024 beset with injury issues and thus a poor preparation for the Games.
But it was what Eilish did on the finish line which became a truly memorable Olympic moment, landed her a special Eric Liddell 100 award, and, well, made her mum proud.
Nobody watching on television will forget the empathy and support as Eilish waited to fold Megan Keith in a supportive embrace after the Inverness Harrier completed a tough Games debut in the Women’s 10,000m final.
‘Eilish has a lot of empathy,’ said her mum, Liz in a special interview for scottishathletics.
‘She is older now while Megan obviously has a great career ahead of her.
‘I think Megan had an ankle injury, I am not sure. But I thought it was a very poignant and emotional moment when Eilish waited to give Megan a hug. She was the only athlete to stand there and wait on Megan.
Eilish lands Eric Liddell 100 award
‘Megan was a little overwhelmed in the moment and Eilish was there for her,’ said Liz.
‘It shows you the support Scottish athletes have for each other and the team spirit.
‘That is what I love about the sport: although we all want to win or make the podium, we also want others to run well or develop as athletes and as people.
‘I think Eilish showed that empathy in that moment at the Olympics and I’m proud of her.’
Coach and mum Liz was thrilled Eilish made the Stade de France start-line and achieved that fourth Team GB selection – historic in terms of Scottish athletes in track, field and marathon.
‘I was really pleased she raced in Paris because it meant a lot to Eilish,’ added Liz, who herself competed at three Olympics.
‘She had been injured and her main focus for the whole season was to get to the Olympics. She wanted that fourth Olympic team selection against her name. It was very important to her.
Photo by Bobby Gavin
‘She struggled with injury so for me, as her mum and as her coach, I knew that when she stood on that start-line felt like winning.
‘Eilish ran the race and it was the first 10,000m this year she completed. She was the first Brit home and I feel she did herself proud with that.
‘To be honest, it was not about times or position, the challenge this year was to be there at the Olympics. She won that challenge and I was really proud of her about that.
‘She is the first Scot in track and field to do four Olympics.’
+++
Tags:
Eilish McColgan, Liz McColgan, Megan Keith
