Scottish athletes are achieving remarkable success on the global stage, yet their accomplishments sometimes struggle to gain mainstream media attention, particularly from broadcasters like BBC Scotland. This disparity was highlighted by an incident involving Jemma Reekie, a prominent Scottish middle-distance runner. Despite competing in a high-caliber Diamond League meeting in early September, an event comparable to the Champions League in athletics, her performance was reportedly overlooked by BBC Scotland’s social media feeds. Instead, the feeds were focused on a birthday cake presentation involving a reporter and a club mascot for a Scottish Championship football match.
Jemma Reekie’s Brussels Performance Overlooked
Jemma Reekie, an Olympian who secured fourth place at the Tokyo 2021 Games and a silver medal at the World Indoors in Glasgow in 2024, was participating in a significant Diamond League event in Brussels. While top competitors like Keely Hodgkinson were absent, the field represented a standard expected in a World Championship final. However, on the same evening, a Scottish Championship football match featuring Dunfermline was scheduled, and BBC Scotland Sport’s social media coverage prioritized coverage of a birthday cake event. Reports indicate that Reekie’s race result from this prestigious European athletics meeting was not mentioned, illustrating a broader issue of limited mainstream media coverage for Scottish athletics.
Josh Kerr’s World Record and Media Engagement
The challenge of gaining media traction was also evident in the case of Josh Kerr, who achieved a World Record in the mile at the London Diamond League. His record-breaking run, witnessed by 60,000 fans, generated significant international attention, with publications like The New York Times and Sports Illustrated reportedly showing more engagement than some domestic outlets. Eyewitnesses described the atmosphere during Kerr’s final lap as comparable to the roar of a football stadium, underscoring the excitement of his achievement. Despite this global recognition, the domestic media spotlight was not as intense as the performance might have warranted.
The ‘See It To Be It’ Phenomenon
Laura Muir, a fellow elite Scottish athlete and Olympian, emphasizes the importance of visibility for inspiring the next generation. She stated, “The ‘see it to be it’ aspect is really important, I feel. We don’t get many chances to compete for Scotland at this kind of level. It is once every four years.” Muir actively seeks opportunities to compete for Scotland, participating in events like the Lindsays National XC in Falkirk to increase visibility. She believes that seeing athletes compete in Scottish vests is crucial for young, aspiring athletes who often started their journeys at local clubs.
Commonwealth Games: A Crucial Showcase
The upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow are seen as a vital opportunity to elevate the profile of Scottish athletics. With 39 athletes selected for athletics and para-athletics, Team Scotland has a strong contingent. Josh Kerr, a global star, has committed to the Games, and his participation is expected to draw significant attention. He, along with other top athletes like Laura Muir and Jake Wightman, has proactively put themselves forward for selection, demonstrating a strong desire to represent Scotland. This collective commitment underscores the athletes’ understanding of the importance of the Commonwealth Games for showcasing their sport on home soil.
Athletes’ Perspective on National Sport Status
Jake Wightman, a multiple Commonwealth Games medallist, echoed the sentiment that athletics deserves greater recognition in Scotland. He suggested that, based on the percentage of medals won by Scottish athletes at major championships, athletics could arguably be considered the national sport, though he feels this is not always appreciated. Wightman views the Commonwealth Games as a chance to highlight the sport’s strength and appeal to a broader audience who may not regularly follow athletics. He also stressed the athletes’ desire to give back to the system and clubs that supported their development, seeing the Glasgow Games as a way to demonstrate the success of the Scottish athletics pathway.
A Golden Era for Scottish Athletics
The current period is undeniably a strong one for Scottish athletics. Athletes such as Muir and Wightman have consistently medaled at major championships, achieving success in 11 of the last 12 major events over the past four years. This sustained period of high performance suggests a robust system and dedicated athletes. As this ‘purple patch’ continues, there is anticipation that increased media attention, perhaps even including celebratory gestures like cake, will follow, acknowledging the significant achievements of Scotland’s track and field stars.
Peter Jardine, Head of Communications for Scottish Athletics, has highlighted the importance of these athletes’ contributions and the ongoing success within the sport.
