Yahoo News Jemma Reekie dismisses link between records and Nike shoes
Jemma Reekie has broken three records in the past month - she set a new 800m record in Glasgow, she broke training partner Laura Muir’s indoor mile record in New York and she won the 1500m at the Indoor Grand Prix in Glasgow on Saturday. The 21-year-old has plenty to celebrate and has qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in her sights, but used her win on Saturday to address the speculation around her footwear.
Talking to BBC Sport, Reekie said her improvement was down to her training and pushing her body to its “absolute limit”, not the shoes on her feet. Under the new World Athletics regulations, released earlier this year, a pair of running spikes must not be prototypes. There are also strict rules in regards to the number of spikes, with the regulations stating, “the sole and heel of the shoes may be so constructed as to provide for the use of up to 11 spikes. Any number of spikes up to 11 may be used but the number of spike positions shall not exceed 11”.
Going into the competition on Saturday, all questions about Reekie’s shoes were shut down by her team. Her coach, Andy Young had previously said her shoes would be legal. Addressing the subject for the first time after her win on Saturday, Reekie said it was a matter she would “leave to the experts”.
2020 has already been a spectacular year for @JemmaReekie 🙌
An impressive finish from the Scots woman as she wins the 1500m 🏴#MullerIndoorGPGlasgow#WorldIndoorTour pic.twitter.com/AK24FRMQJV— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) February 15, 2020
Focusing on her own performance, Reekie said, “It doesn't happen overnight and there's a lot of hard work. I am 21-years-old and I am a developing athlete and I am pushing myself to the absolute limits and I will just let my legs do the talking. I put it all down to Andy's training and the support as well.
"I've got a lot of support from British Athletics and Andy, and the two work really well together. Andy puts detail into every single thing we do and the support from him on and off the track, it's just learning as well."
Reekie also praised Laura Muir for being a big inspiration to her.
Muir who won the 1000m in Glasgow also tackled the shoe debate, telling BBC Sport, “Ultimately it is up to World Athletics, they set the rules and regulations with regards to these things so it is up to them what happens and what the athletes are allowed to compete in. As an athlete all you can do is focus on yourself. We just train as hard as we can and we go out there, we enjoy ourselves and we love the sport."
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