Guided by McColgan, Tait sets sights on Olympics

Sarah Tait is the new 3000m steeplechase Scottish record holder

Not only does Scottish track athlete Sarah Tait boast Eilish McColgan as one of her mentors, she also has taken one of her records.

The 24-year-old broke McColgan's 12-year Scottish record in the 3,000m steeplechase at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) competition in Oregon last month.

Her form earned her a place on the Great Britain team for the European Athletics Team Championships, where she finished second in the same event on her international debut.

Now Tait, who came through at Lasswade Athletics Club but is based in the United States, has set her sights on next year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and a first Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.

"I went to watch some of my team-mates in Paris last year and I thought it was absolutely amazing what they were doing," Tait told BBC Scotland.

"I would love to be there one day, but I didn't think quite how realistic it would be and then just this year I am like: 'Do you know what, I am actually really close.'

"In a few years' time, I definitely believe that will be possible."

"I have this new found belief in myself and that is definitely credit to my training group in the US and my training partners as well."

McColgan 'always there for me'

Tait was the first recipient of McColgan's 'Giving Back to Track' programme, which was set up three years ago to help young women make their way in athletics.

After plenty of support and encouragement, Tait says breaking her mentor's record was something she had targeted for a while.

"Eilish has supported and mentored me for a good few years now and she always said she thought I would be the one who would take her record down," she revealed.

"Eilish really took me under her wing. I am still in touch with her now, we still go back and forth. She always sends me a congratulations message, she is always there to support me and I am really grateful for everything she has done for me."

Having just completed her studies at West Virginia University, Tait admits she is "still figuring things out" in terms of where she is going to base herself as she prepares for next summer's Commonwealth Games, which she says is her "priority".

As a 13-year-old, Tait went to watch the athletics at Hampden Park when the games last visited the city in 2014.

"I just can't wait to hopefully be a part of it and be part of inspiring the next generation because that was me sitting in the stands watching - so I really hope that can be me on the start line this time," she added.