Scottish middle-distance star Neil Gourley has set his sights on 1500m gold at this year’s World Championships in Tokyo, aiming to continue Scotland’s remarkable dominance in the event.
The 28-year-old claimed his first global medal with a hard-fought silver in the 1500m at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing.
Injuries sidelined Gourley, forcing him to watch the World Indoor Championships in his hometown Glasgow from the sidelines, a setback that made his podium journey far from straightforward.
“Twelve months ago, I wasn’t in a great place mentally or physically. It upset me to watch Glasgow host the World Indoors, racing there in my hometown would have meant everything,” Gourley told BBC Sports.
Neil Gourley used his disappointment as a fuel to achieve his dream of becoming a middle-distance medallist on the global stage.
“Sometimes these things do make you stronger mentally, and this one certainly did. It gave me a new appreciation for the sport, being healthy, and enjoying it,” he reflected.
Neil Gourley chases 1500m gold at World Championship, vowing to extend Scotland’s dominance over Ingebrigtsen.
“Don’t just go in thinking you’ll do what you’ve been doing all season or compete within yourself. You’ve got to go out there and believe something else is there—take some chances and have some ambition,” he said.
After securing a world silver medal, Gourley now targets gold in Tokyo.
“I’m certainly going with that ambition. It’s going to be incredibly challenging, but I’m looking to go to Tokyo and take my turn on the top of the podium.”