WATCH: Fans in Inverness speak of pride as Megan Keith runs at Olympics
FANS were cheering on Megan Keith as she competed in the 10,000 metres final at the Olympic Games tonight.
The 22-year-old put in a determined performance as she recorded a time of 33 minutes and 19 seconds to finish in 23rd place.
Keith is the first athlete from the Inverness Harriers to compete at the Olympic Games since the club was established in 1947.
Inverness Harriers hosted a celebration party at Fairways Golf Centre on Friday night to watch her compete at the Stade de France.
Her friends and club members cheered her on as she took on the best athletes in the world on the biggest stage of them all.
At the party, Harry Gow’s Bakery baked up empire biscuits in the form of Olympic Rings as well as a special cake for the occasion.
Her supporters cheered her on to the very end and said that they were proud of what she had achieved.
Watch the video of the party below.
Coaches and fans praised Megan for what she achieved in Paris tonight.
Liz Forbes says it was a fantastic performance from Keith.
She said: “It was very good and she tried really well. It is was a big experience for her in a major race. To come out and do what she did was tremendous.”
Inverness Harriers athlete Finlay Maclennan said it was a proud day for the club to see Keith compete at the Olympics.
He said: “I am very proud of her as it was very tough. It is her first time at the Olympics and the African athletes were better tonight, but this is huge for the club.”
Charlie Maclennan said it was a determined performance which Keith should look back at and be proud of.
He said: “She stuck at it, it is obviously the toughest thing that she has ever done. It is a wonderful thing for the club and the north, we are immensely proud of her.”
Alex Sutherland says it was fantastic to see an athlete from Inverness Harriers compete on the biggest stage in world athletics.
“I believed she had an injury which slowed her up, but it was great to see her on the world stage. Everyone was beside her during the race as one, feeling the excitement, tension and a great experience to all watch together.
“She will come back and we will be excited to see her run again.”
Inverness Harriers president Charlie Forbes says it was fantastic to see everyone at the club come together to watch Keith compete at the Olympics.
He said: ”It was a fantastic turnout to see the kids coming out together, and the adults, to support Megan and support the club on a historic occasion.
“It is the first time Inverness Harriers has had an Olympian, it is a legacy that hopefully she will leave for others to follow suit and she may be competing in Los Angeles at the next Olympics.
“Hopefully it will inspire kids, not just at Inverness Harriers, but across the whole of the Highlands, as there are some great athletes here.
“Where ever you are in the Highlands, join an athletics club.”
Inverness Harriers coach Dianne Chisholm also hoped what Keith did on Friday night will inspire others in the future.
She said: “Hopefully this will give them encouragement and incentive to keep training so one day it might be them.”
Joanna Cairns, whose husband Ross is Keith’s trainer, said Friday night was the culmination of a lot of hard work to make the Olympics.
She said: “I am just amazingly proud, to get to the Olympics is like a gold medal itself.
“Ross has put a lot of work into it and they make a great team and just work well together.”
