Missing in inaction

[Ladyloz]

I think it may be more when he's travelling to meets and the countries impose quarantine on people from Britain entering e.g. I know Germany has now imposed a mandatory 14 day quarantine across the board as well as the Swiss example mentioned elsewhere. Different countries will also have different rules around which events get 'elite athlete exemptions'. Clearly Diamond Leagues will but probably more problematic for lower level meets.

Anyway Jessie Knight set the first of her Olympic qualifiers in Nuneaton so I don't think he should be too sniffy about racing here, although he & Jessie are clearly at different stages of her career. And given how lovely the weather is in many parts of the country as well. Plus isn't the 400h the type of event where it's very reliant on stride patterns and running your own race so am not sure it would be that crucial to have higher level competition.

[Grassmarket]

I'm wondering if he has a "proper" job as well, meaning that he can't take time off to self-isolate after returning from a foreign country? The article doesn't really explain why many of our athletes are competing frequently abroad at the moment, but he isn't able to.

Well, I guess if you are on the lottery team you have more access to doctors, tests etc, whereas if you are Joe Prole you have to queue up and pay your £250 at the local Scout Hut etc etc.

[Occasional Hope]

It's an issue for world rankings too.

[mattrh17]

Things like this are probably part of the issue:

https://atleticageneve.org/one-wek-to-go/

Geneva is the kind of meet lots of our athletes normally attend and look for good times.

[LuckySpikes]

Dai Greene complaining he can’t get runs for a qualifying time. Needs to get subscribed here, there’s plenty going on.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/57366279

I'm wondering if he has a "proper" job as well, meaning that he can't take time off to self-isolate after returning from a foreign country? The article doesn't really explain why many of our athletes are competing frequently abroad at the moment, but he isn't able to.

[Grassmarket]

Dai Greene complaining he can’t get runs for a qualifying time. Needs to get subscribed here, there’s plenty going on.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/57366279

[carterhatch]

I was doing some research on Po10 and the name of Isobel Pooley came up - anyone know her current status...

of course, silly me, 'She announced her retirement in September 2017, at the age of 24.'

Injury?

Has she remained in and around athletics? I recall her being quite an advocate for women in sport ...

[Occasional Hope]

I think Eilidh has great potential as a coach.

[MBChristie]

She's a Trustee of https://athleticstrustscotland.org.uk that was launched a couple of months ago.

[RunUnlimited]

Several points to make...

Our MIA thread seems to be prompting a few retirements - careful who we mention next!

I do hope the likes of Eilidh Doyle and Sophie Hitchon remain in and around the sport as their experience will be invaluable for the next generation.

I was only thinking of women's 400h this morning, before this news, and I wonder if the fact the competition in that event is so contested it rather made her mind up. I dont think it has been mentioned but at Lea Valley (see Ian Hodge as ever) Megan Beasley ran a 55.82, and one or two others ran 56.XX PBs ...

I think Doyle was always weighing up the pros and cons of coming back to the sport after having a baby, and being in her early 30's, whether it was worth all the effort and training to get back into shape... Then the likes of Turner and Knight going sub 55 for the first time this year, Lina Nielsen finally showing signs that's she's getting a handle on the event, Megan Beesley still able to put in reliable 55 second times, Hayley Mclean running her a fastest time in years, and now Nicole Kendall joining the growing list of hurdlers under Marina Armstrong's that have significantly improved... I think that all of those added factors helped to make up Doyle's mind.

She didn't need to come back - women's one lap hurdling in Great Britain is in pretty good shape as it is.

[carterhatch]

Several points to make...

Our MIA thread seems to be prompting a few retirements - careful who we mention next!

I do hope the likes of Eilidh Doyle and Sophie Hitchon remain in and around the sport as their experience will be invaluable for the next generation.

I was only thinking of women's 400h this morning, before this news, and I wonder if the fact the competition in that event is so contested it rather made her mind up. I dont think it has been mentioned but at Lea Valley (see Ian Hodge as ever) Megan Beasley ran a 55.82, and one or two others ran 56.XX PBs ...

[jjimbojames]

Perhaps she and Brian can do something similar to what Jenny and Trevor have done with the 800m kids, and what Jess and Toni seem to have (at least informally) done with some multis athletes - mentor, alongside coach

[RunUnlimited]

Eilidh Doyle has retired today. Stalwart of the team for a decade

MysteryBrick

@carterhatch

Doyle and PSD were no doubt the inspiration for the current crop of world class and close to world class 400m hurdlers who have been coming through the last 3 or so years. There would have been more, but misfortune and injury have prevented the likes of Shona Richards from fulfilling their enormous talent.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Doyle become a coach in the near-future.

[carterhatch]

Agree word for word with Mystery Brick... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/57323904

She leaves W400h in a very healthy place...

[MysteryBrick]

An absolutely top international class athlete for years, so many medals - never quite managed it individually at a World level but definitely goes down as a GB great. Wish her all the best in retirement.