Child to captain GB at World Indoor Championships
University of Bath-based Eilidh Child said she was ‘shocked and honoured’ to be asked to captain the Great Britain team at this week’s World Indoor Championships.
Child, who is coached by Malcolm Arnold, British Athletics’ Lead Hurdles Coach, said it came as a complete surprise when British Athletics Performance Director Neil Black called her to ask if she would captain the team for the championships, which take place in Sopot, Poland, from Friday to Sunday (7-9 March).
“I was really shocked when Neil (Black) phoned me,” she said. “It was the last thing on my mind that I was going to be asked to be team captain. I’m really honoured, it was a complete surprise.
“To me the role of captain is about being there to support one another. Hopefully I can add that extra little bit of support and try and keep everyone chilled out and relaxed.”
British Athletics Performance Director Neil Black said: “I’m delighted Eilidh accepted the team captaincy role for these championships.
“At the recent Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match, Eilidh demonstrated her leadership skills when she captained the Scottish team. She is well respected amongst her fellow team mates and I know she will lead by example.
“We’ve got a relatively young team in Sopot and experienced athletes like Eilidh will help integrate the number of new faces in the team.”
Child was a member of the GB gold medal winning 4x400m team at last year’s European Indoor Championships. She is a member of the 4×400 squad in Sopot.
Two other Bath-based runners also compete at the championships – Andrew Pozzi, who is also coached by Malcolm Arnold, goes in the 60m hurdles, and Sophie Papps, coached by Dan Cossins, runs the 60m.
For further information about Team Bath please contact the Team Bath press office at Matchtight Ltd on 01225 383518 or at press@matchtight.co.uk
