On the night that Josh Kerr fell just short of surprise winner Cole Hocker, Edinburgh athletes were inspired to keep the nation’s golden generation going with a visit from legendary Scottish runner, Lee McConnell.
McConnell returned to Edinburgh Athletic Club, based at the refurbished Meadowbank Sports Centre, where 1500m star Josh Kerr honed his craft, and gave advice to fellow runners before a watch party of nearly 200 athletes, young and old, watched Kerr battle hard to win Team GB’s 45th medal in Paris.
The event was not only a showcase of the impact elite athletes have had on inspiring people to be physically active but also a reminder of the support that funding from The National Lottery has had on elite sport by supporting athletes to be the best they can be.
(Image: Euan Cherry)
The National Lottery powered the refurbishment of the legendary Meadowbank venue and Yvonne Jones, the Club President at Edinburgh Athletic Club believes the facility is helping keep the good times rolling in Scottish athletics, she said: “During Covid, we were training in parks with no toilet facilities,” said Jones. “Thanks to The National Lottery, we have been able to bring the club back together.
“For four and a half years, the kids weren’t able to see the seniors train and watch how they do things. They didn’t know any different and you lose that link between the two.
“Now our training sessions are well-attended, they’re buzzing and we’ve got a waiting list of kids wanting to come in.
“To have someone like Josh starting in the club and coming through the ranks, it is incredibly inspiring. The athletes have gone from playground to podium and they still come back to visit the club and give the kids some advice.”
McConnell is the third most decorated Scottish athlete of all time, featuring at three Olympic Games and winning 12 medals at major championships.
Sparked by the likes of McConnell and Chris O’Hare, a golden generation of Scottish talent has emerged led by Laura Muir and featuring Kerr, Jake Wightman, Jemma Reekie, Neil Gourley among many others.
McConnell, 45, put that momentum down to a culture change led by Muir.
“Since Laura came onto the scene, as Scottish athletes we’re not shy in saying what we want to achieve,” said McConnell.
“This generation will say they want to be Olympic champion, they want to be world champion, they’re happy to say what they want and what their main focus is. I was reluctant to do that.
“That’s a new mindset that has come along and Laura was the first one to do that. My line was always wanting to get to the final and see what happens but now athletes know exactly what they want.”
The flame for Kerr’s Olympic feats was lit by his first coach, Eric Fisher, who continues to oversee the development of scores of athletes.
“Josh was very competitive, even at a young age,” remembered Fisher.
“He wanted to beat his bigger brother, Jake, but he had a drive of his own and they contributed to a really good spirit at the club.
“Year-by-year, they progressed and the club was winning trophies all the way through.
“The message was always just to make sure they enjoy the sport and try to be the best they can be. They don’t have to win the race, they can be a winner by improving their own performance.”
Thanks to National Lottery players our Olympic athletes are supported to live their dreams and make the nation proud. With more than £30M a week raised for Good Causes, The National Lottery has enabled Great Britain to become a global force in Athletics and has provided more opportunities for people inspired by athletes like Josh to take part in the sport. For details visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
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