Paris, 9 August 2024 (TDI): After an injury, Eilish McColgan claims she is returning to her best, but acknowledges it will be difficult to replicate her prior “record-breaking form” at the Olympics.
The 33-year-old Scot will run the 10,000m on Friday for Team GB in her fourth Games in Paris.
McColgan just recovered in time to qualify after undergoing knee surgery at the end of the previous year, which prevented her from running for six months.
She said, “I’m finally getting better, but it’s no secret that the past year and a half has been extremely difficult for me. I’m returning to the shape I displayed in earlier years.”
Eilish McColgan had the best year of her life in 2021–2023, winning the Commonwealth Games and setting country records for both the 5,000-meter and half-marathon distances on the track and road.
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However, a knee problem that caused McColgan to experience excruciating agony has halted her progress. Additionally, last year her mother’s instructor Liz’s partner, John Nuttall, passed away.
McColgan sensed an improvement in the spring after surgery originally failed to relieve her condition, and she will now compete at Stade de France with fellow Scot Megan Keith.
“It will be extremely difficult to fight against the world’s best after taking six months off,” the Dundonian said.
“To be here, though, I’ve worked my tail off, and I should have the same opportunity to start as everyone else. The past year has been incredibly difficult for us, even as a family. Dealing with that mentally is difficult. I am even more proud because of this, I think.”
“We got it to the starting line and are still in the fight in spite of all that. It is a great honor to be going to my fourth Olympics. It demonstrates how tough it is to be the first Scot to ever accomplish that in athletics.”
