Photo via Getty Images for British Athletics
Neil Gourley landed the global medal his career fully deserves in China on Sunday.
The Scot pulled off his gameplan superbly to take silver behind Jakob Ingebrigtsen at the World Indoors in Nanjing.
Neil was named captain of the GB and Ni team earlier in the week and now he has doubled his international medal tally after silver in the European Indoors two years ago.
Two weeks ago, of course, the British champion finished an agonising and frustrating fourth at the European Indoors in Apeldoorn – so this was spectacular redemption for the Giffnock North AC local hero.
Congratulations to Neil, coach Stephen Haas, his family and all involved at Giffnock who helped in his development over a number of years.
Ingebrigtsen completed yet another double – winning on Sunday in the 1500m final after taking 3000m gold the night before. Neil was ‘ best of the rest’ at 3:39.07.
‘It feels really good,’ said Neil.
‘A couple of weeks ago I came away really disappointed from the European Indoors. So I had a point to prove . . . not so much to anyone else but to myself, my team that have put in all the work.
‘I had to show I am ready for something bigger. I am so glad I came out here and tried to prove that, repay all the people that have helped me get here.
‘It was a change in tactics today. To some extent it was a case of ‘if you can’t beat him, join him’. So the plan was ‘when he shifts up in momentum I am going to be right there behind him’.
‘That worked out better today. It ensured I fed off his momentum rather than looking around and react to what he is doing. It felt much better doing it that way. I felt in control the whole time, I just left myself a little too much to do in the home straight to catch Jakob. But I am really pleased how I competed on the world stage today.
‘This time last year I watched the World Indoors as I was injured, really injured and could barely walk at this point last year. Andit was happening in my home town in Glasgow.
‘I’ve been thinking about that and how I managed to make the lineup today for a global final. Everything else was a bonus and I went in with the mentality that ‘anything is possible”.
Neil with Giffnock youngsters last year on his return from the Olympics (photo by Colin Mearns)
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Tags:
China, Giffnock North, Neil Gourley, World Indoors
