Seven Scottish athletes feature in the Great Britain & Northern Ireland team for the European Championships in Zurich on August 12 to 17.
The Europeans follow quickly after the Commonwealth Games. Beth Potter, Laura Muir, Eilidh Child and Lynsey Sharp are the four women selected and are joined by three men in 1500m pair Chris O’Hare and Jake Wightman and pole vaulter Jax Thoirs.
Sharp, Child, O’Hare and Thoirs all set Scottish records at the Diamond League meeting at Hampden last weekend while Milnathort athlete Muir set a national record at 1500m a week earlier in Paris.
Stephen Maguire, director of coaching, said: “This year there is that opportunity to do two major champs in quick succession and, while the main focus is on Glasgow 2014, the Euros are a good opportunity for those named by British Athletics.
“Jake Wightman only turned 20 last week and a handful of the others are in their early 20s.
“I think that augurs very well and it exemplifies how people have started to make the step up in class that we have been looking for over the past couple of years. We’ve seen that with Laura Muir, who is now consistently making GB teams indoors and outdoors, and Beth Potter is added to that now.
“Lynsey Sharp has already shown what she can do in European terms in 2012 when she became 800m champion. We all know the level Eilidh Child is now operating at she’s proved that on podiums at the European Indoors.
“I’m pleased for Jax Thoirs, as well. And those who have worked with him over the years because that’s what these selections do they give massive encouragement to coaches and clubs across Scotland that they can develop athletes who can operate at world class level.
“Chris O’Hare and Jake Wightman are good examples. They came through the ranks with Edinburgh AC, competed at Scottish schools and Scottish national cross country champs.
“Having said that, the Commonwealth Games are very much the priority and the main focus for all Scottish athletes right at this minute. We’re getting close now and performing on the day is the goal for everyone involved with the Team Scotland squad.”
Double Olympic champion Mo Farah, who has been struggling with illness recently, is set to go for the European double in the 5,000m and 10,000m, while 21-year-old heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson is selected for the long jump after a personal best of 6.92m at Hampden.
There are notable GB debuts for 400m junior athlete Matthew Hudson-Smith who last weekend ran a personal best of 44.97 at Hampden while 17 year-old Morgan Lake is selected for the women’s high jump.
James Dasaolu has been handed the third and final 100 metres spot.
The 26-year-old will join Dwain Chambers and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, who qualified by finishing first and second at the trials in Birmingham in June.
It means no individual berth for British No 1 Chijindu Ujah, who will have to be content with a place in the 4x100m relay squad l An ankle injury has ruled out former triathlon world champion Helen Jenkins of the Commonwealth Games in what is a huge blow to Team Wales.