Olympic star Laura Muir flies back to UK after fall-out with long-term coach

29 March 2023 , 19:05

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Laura Muir has been coached by Andy Young since she started at Glasgow University in 2011 (Image: Laura Muir has been coached by Andy Young since she started at Glasgow University in 2011)

Laura Muir could be in search of a new coach 15 months out from the Olympics after a major falling out with long-term mentor Andy Young.

The British track star has packed her bags and flown home early, with training partner Jemma Reekie, from an altitude camp in South Africa, leaving Young behind.

UK Athletics told The Times the pair are back in the UK and being supported by their World Class Programme staff “to ensure they receive the support they require as they review their training and competition programmes for the season ahead”. Muir is a multiple global medallist over 1500 metres and one of Britain’s biggest podium hopes both at this summer’s World Championships in Budapest and next year’s Paris Olympics.

Reekie, a former European Under-23 champion over 800m, finished fourth in the Olympic final.

Young, who has guided Muir’s hugely successful career since she started at Glasgow University in 2011, denied a single incident had caused the spat, leading to the suspicion there was a build-up of issues.

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Laura Muir has returned to the UK after a major falling out with long-term mentor Andy Young (Getty Images for European Athlet)

“There was no bust-up,” he said. “I think you would find the girls were worried about my health if you spoke to them.

“Felt I wasn’t looking after myself properly, maybe thought the pressure was getting to me. I’d say they were reading too much into it.”

Neither athlete has spoken publicly and no decision on the future will be made until Young returns to the UK.

Athletics coach Andy Young has denied that there was a 'bust-up' with Laura Muir

But with just five months until Budapest and the Olympics also fast approaching, both will want the matter resolved fast.

This is the just latest coaching issue to plague athletics in Britain after Toni Minchiello and Fuzz Caan, who coached Jessica Ennis-Hill and Robbie Grabarz respectively to Olympic medals, were banned.

Alex Spink