Inverness Harriers life member Megan Keith proud to put the Highlands on the map with historic Olympic Games run in Paris representing Great Britain
Megan Keith says she is proud to be putting the Highlands on the map as she prepares to make her debut at the Olympic Games.
The 22-year-old will race in the 10,000m this Friday night in what will be just her fourth ever competition over that distance.
She has captured the imagination of the Inverness public, though, with posters popping up across the city centre to show their support for their hometown star.
Keith has already made history as the first Invernessian to represent Great Britain in athletics at the Olympics, and she has stayed true to her roots by basing her final preparations in the Highland capital over recent weeks.
Naturally, she cannot wait to get going on the track in Paris, and she is conscious that she is representing the north of Scotland on the biggest stage there is in the sport.
“I am super excited to get to Paris and compete at such an iconic sporting event that I have been training for all summer,” she said.
“I remember watching bits of it on the TV when I was younger, but I never imagined it would be an event I would compete at!
“I only really let myself think of it as a reality after I won the Olympic trial race in May, until then I was just focussed on the process of qualification.
“It feels very special to have people in Inverness behind me. I don’t see it as pressure because I know there’s no expectation on me to reach a certain position, but it’s been lovely to feel the support of Inverness during my build-up.
“I feel proud to put Inverness and the Highlands on the map the best I can.
“It’s not very normal to complete an Olympic preparation from the Highlands, or even Scotland, and most of my teammates/competitors are training in the sun or at altitude, but I have felt the home support from my club, training partners and the community which has been special!”
Keith is no stranger to success, having won various medals at European level in cross country, and most recently claimed a bronze medal at the European Championships across 10k two months ago in Rome.
The Olympic field will be another step up from that, pitting the Inverness Harriers life member against the absolute cream of the world’s crop.
While being the most difficult line-up she has encountered, though, it will also be the most intense circumstances Keith has raced in with the eyes of the world focused on Paris.
“The Olympic Games will be completely different to any other event I’ve participated in, partly because of the multisport aspect, but also the way the Olympics are viewed,” Keith reasoned.
“It’s a competition that everyone is aware of and excited by, so the support I have received has been incredible.
“Training hasn’t changed a huge amount but I’ve been simulating hot conditions where possible, whether that’s in the sauna or sweating away on the spin bike!
“I am expecting the race to be one of the hardest I’ve ever done, with the likelihood of hot, humid conditions and a very competitive field, so I hope to give it my best effort and see what happens.”
