Scottish Athletics Championships

The air amongst the throngs of spectators was heavy with excitement and laced with anticipation. Over four hundred people filled the Scotstoun Athletics Stadium on the 10th of August to show their support for the immensely talented variety of British athletes competing in the Scottish Athletics Championships. With competitions ranging from the women's high jump to the men's 3000 metre Steeplechase to the 400 metre wheelchair race, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

The sporting events were not all smooth-sailing, however, and the athletes face many challenges which one female runner discovered the hard way when she was disqualified from the women's 100 metre race for false starting. The undesirable weather conditions on Saturday also meant that the athletes had to work harder than usual to gain the upper hand in their events. Watching the competitors being pushed to their utmost definitely piqued the interest of the eager fans lining the stands. There were ups and downs and tears of joy all round after every final event, something that distinguished athlete Isabel Pooley was host to on Saturday. The 20-year-old English sporting professional won the women's high jump against fierce competition from Scottish champion Emma Nuttall, and her happiness at her achievement was evident on her face in the form a grin as she stood on the podium to receive her medal. This weekend was Isabel's first time in Scotland and she took the opportunity to visit some of the venues for next year's Commonwealth Games, which she hopes to compete in. The Hampshire born athlete spoke of her admiration for her Scottish opponents describing them as 'pictures of determination', and how well she felt the event had gone. "It's really good to have a competition like that", Isabel quotes, "Emma (Nuttall) and I always bring out the best in each other."

The competitions are phenomenal and the passion that drives the athletes is always clear on their face as they push themselves to thrive in their sport. As interesting as the events are, they are nothing in comparison to the unique story that hides behind each individual athlete. Isabel Pooley's story is just one of hundreds including, paralympic athlete, Samantha 'Sammy' Kinghorn. Samantha is just 17 years old and already a Scottish champion in her sport, she is full of character and she is a commendable athlete to watch on the track and a pleasure to speak to off of it. Taking part in the women's 800m wheelchair race on Saturday was something she was truly appreciative of but Sammy did admit that it wasn’t her favourite, "I enjoy sprinting more than longer distances and track. Obviously it's nice to chase someone [in a race] but when they are that far ahead of you it' definitely off-putting and makes you think that you'll never get there but when they're right beside you it'a alittle bit more intense and you're telling yourself 'I could really win this'."

The experience was a gripping one and the day, as a whole, was a huge success in more ways than one. Not only did it provide an adrenaline fuelled competition for the onlookers to enjoy from their viewing positions, it also ignited the underlying enthusiasm felt by people all over Britain for the Commonwealth Games that will take place in Scotland next year.

Rebecca Tierney, Lourdes Secondary