All to play for from Scots as they eye Euro berths

It’s a big weekend for some of Scotland’s young, up-and-coming athletes who could be in line for selection for the European Championships in Helsinki beginning a week on Wednesday.

Lasswade’s Guy Learmonth, who ran in a high-quality 800 metres in a windy Gothenburg last night, finishing fifth in 1:47.64, is certainly one for the future though he may have more to come this season as he tilts at the best.

“The weather was awful – it was blowing a gale which is a pity as there’s still so much more to come,” insisted the 20-year-old Loughborough student.

Lynsey Sharp (Edinburgh AC) has been knocking on the door of two minute-mark all season in the women’s 800m but seems firmly stuck in a 2:01.00 groove, recording her third such time in quick succession in Moscow last Monday.

The conditions in Europe have not been kind to our Olympic aspirants, apart from in Geneva where Eilidh Child was blessed by calm, warm conditions when she set her Scottish 400m hurdles record of 54.96. Like Learmonth, Sharp is giving this weekend’s AAA Under-23 Championships in Bedford a miss to have a well-earned rest from competition before heading for the UK (senior) Trials in Birmingham a week today.

Eilish McColgan (Dundee) has actually attained the Olympic A standard for the 3000m steeplechase after just two outings this season and is second on the UK rankings to Barbara Parker.

But given her lack of experience in this toughest of all track events the selectors might be tempted to pick her for Helsinki to give her more experience.

Scottish champion Mark Dry (Shettleston), who has the B Olympic standard in the hammer, might also benefit from the Europeans.