'There is something very structurally wrong' – Andy Young criticises ongoing exclusion of Laura Muir and track athletes
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Published 03/01/2023 at 16:05 GMT
Laura Muir's coach addressed the exclusion of female track and field athletes from the New Year's Honours List. Andy Young believes that the current system needs to be overhauled and said: “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?"
'So excited, so grateful' - Kenya's Kipyegon, Britain's Muir after 1500m at worlds
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.
Women's football stars Leah Williamson (OBE), Lucy Bronze (MBE), Ellen White (MBE) and Beth Mead (MBE) were recognised following their success at Euro 2022, but their athletic counterparts continue to be disregarded.
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.
“Still no MBE for Laura Muir, Dina Asher-Smith or Katarina Johnson-Thompson. It maybe now is time to point out there is something very structurally wrong with the system,” said Young in quotes published by the Mail Online.
“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?
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2022/08/03/3427400-69933168-2560-1440.jpg)
Gold medal winner Katarina Johnson-Thompson of Team England celebrates with their teams flag after winning the Women's Heptathlon on day six of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Alexander Stadium on August 03, 2022 in Birmingham, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
“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.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2022/08/21/3436295-70111068-2560-1440.jpg)
Dina Asher-Smith
Image credit: Getty Images
'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.”
Scan me
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement