Monklands athletes get to train with Yvonne Murray

Nov 26 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

TALENTED local runners in Monklands are to get the chance to work with one of Scottish athletics’ biggest names.

Track queen Yvonne Murray, who won 13 championship medals in a glittering career spanning 20 years, has taken the role of senior athletics development and events officer with North Lanarkshire Leisure (NLL).

The 44-year-old will be responsible for nurturing the stars of the future as well as passing on her expertise to some of the county’s elite performers.

Musselburgh-born Yvonne became the first Scots female to win an Olympic track medal when she claimed bronze in 1988 at the Seoul Games.

The five-time Scottish champion has a full set of Commonwealth medals and clinched gold at the World Indoor championships in Toronto, Canada in the 3000 metres.

Last year, she was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame.

“I’m so pleased that I am able to continue to work in athletics which I am passionate about,” said Yvonne, who was awarded an MBE for services to sport in 1990.

“It is a fantastic time to be involved in sport with the International Children’s Games coming to Lanarkshire in 2011.

“We also have the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.”

She added: “I will be working with children at grass-roots level right through to elite level throughout the North Lanarkshire area helping them achieve their ambitions in sport.

“I’m also being tasked with arranging and bringing sporting events to North Lanarkshire.

“And I have already started work on encouraging other countries to use our facilities as pre-Games training camps for London 2012 and Glasgow 2014.

“I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.”

Council leader, Jim McCabe, said: “As an international athlete, Yvonne was an inspirational figure and she will continue to inspire and support athletes in her new role.

“This is great news for sport in North Lanarkshire.”

Jim Logue, chairman of NLL, added: “This is a major coup for North Lanarkshire to have secured someone of Yvonne’s talent.

“She is passionate about encouraging people to get active and her enthusiasm and expertise will bring about great benefits to athletics in this area.”