Eilidh Doyle will be an inspiration for generations to come after announcing her retirement from competitive athletics.
That was the message from Jim Hunter, the president of local athletics club Perth Strathtay Harriers.
Eilidh (34), from Kinross and a former Perth Grammar School teacher, this week bowed out as Scotland’s most decorated track and field star.
She has consistently competed at the highest level with Team Scotland and GB and NI to land an impressive 17 major international medals.
Among the haul are 400m hurdles silver in three consecutive Commonwealth Games and a 4x400 bronze at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Harriers president Jim says what she has achieved on the track and her positive impact off it will forever be remembered.
“Eilidh has always been a great supporter of athletics,” he added.
“During her time teaching at Perth Grammar School, we touched base on a few occasions.
“And with her links to the schools in Perth and Kinross, she was a role model. She was somebody the younger athletes could relate to. Eilidh was the local superstar and that will last for a long, long time.
“She started as a club athlete at Pitreavie AAC but we had someone from Perth and Kinross who had reached the very top. She always took time with the young kids to give them encouragement.
“The Harriers wish Eilidh all the best. I’m sure she will continue to be a driving force in Scottish Athletics - for everybody.”
Eilidh, a board member of scottishathletics and a trustee with Athletics Trust Scotland, has done herself and her family proud across a stellar career on the track.
She is now looking forward to spending time with husband Brian and young son Campbell.
“Athletics has all my heart, focus and love but today [Wednesday] I announce my retirement as a competitive athlete,” Eilidh noted.
“I take with me so many amazing memories but, most importantly, I step away happy in the knowledge that this is the right time for me to go. I’m not saying it was an easy decision to make, but it was the right one and I am grateful I got to choose when it happened.
“The sport has brought me so much more than just medals. I have made lifelong friends, experienced incredible atmospheres, made history and even met my husband because of it.
“Now we have our wee boy, Campbell, and so much more to look forward to as a family.”
Eilidh added: “I have so many people I need to thank, who have been part of my journey, and over the next couple of weeks I hope to be able to thank you all personally.
“To everyone who has supported me and cheered me on over the years, I am so grateful to you all.
“I would like to give special thanks however to those who were there at the very beginning and introduced me to the sport I love. My mum, my dad, my big sisters and my big brother.
“Finally, I say thank you to Brian, not only for being my coach, my soft tissue therapist, for looking after the dog when I was travelling the world and, more recently, for looking after Campbell to let me train; but for being my supporter, challenger and for showing me how easy it was to pursue my dreams.
“What an adventure it has been and now I look forward to the next one, whatever it may be.”
