‘There is something very structurally wrong’ – Andy Young criticises ongoing exclusion of Laura Muir and track athletes

Laura Muir’s coach has hit out at the latest New Year’s Honours List given the way in which Britain’s female track and field stats have been overlooked.

Andy Young used the examples of Dina Asher-Smith, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Muir, who have 15 Olympic and world medals between them, but have never been featured on the list.

While it has not been the best of years for British athletes, the achievements of Asher-Smith and Johnson-Thompson in 2019 were ignored after they won world gold.

“All three clearly are more than deserving of such an honour, so why is it the case in January 2023 that not one of these three amazing women has received one?

“I am not standing here telling you to consider those who have received such honours over the years as undeserving, however, if you take a look at the sporting recipients receiving honours over the last decade, you will find countless sportsmen and women who have achieved less than this amazing trio.

“And that would be on a like for like basis, not even taking into account that athletics is the most competitive of global sports for women, making what they have achieved even more impressive. So why have they not been awarded the honour like their compatriots from other sports?”

Young also highlighted how Muir and Asher-Smith have managed to achieve impressive feats away from the track, the former qualifying as a veterinary surgeon and the latter gaining a first-class history degree.

“As well as their sporting achievements away from the track they have been truly inspirational, reaching the upper echelons of academic excellence while continuing to beat the world’s best on the track.

‘I’m sure most parents would struggle to think of many a finer role model nowadays for their teenage daughter than someone who has continued to reach the very top of the sporting world, while qualifying as a veterinary surgeon (Muir) or achieving a first-class degree in history at King’s College London (Asher-Smith).

“So, I think now is the time to ask the question what is wrong in the system.”