Eilidh Doyle
Doyle competing (as Eilidh Child) at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Personal information
Born (1987-02-20) 20 February 1987 (age 37)
Perth, Scotland
Occupation(s)Hurdler, Runner
Years active2009–2021
Height1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight59 kg (130 lb)
Sport
Country Great Britain
 Scotland
SportWomen's athletics
Event(s)400 m hurdles, 400 m, 4 x 400 m relay
ClubPitreavie AAC, Dunfermline
Achievements and titles
Olympic finals2016
World finals2013, 2015, 2017
Regional finals2010, 2014, 2018,
Commonwealth finals2010, 2014, 2018
Personal bests
Medal record
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
Olympic Games 0 0 1
IAAF World Outdoor / Indoor Championships 0 2 3
IAAF Relays / Cont. Cup / Diamond League 0 3 1
European Outdoor / Indoor / U23 Champs 3 4 2
Commonwealth Games 0 3 0
Total 3 12 7
Representing  Great Britain
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Rio de Janeiro 4×400 m relay
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2013 Moscow 4×400 m
Silver medal – second place 2017 London 4×400 m
Bronze medal – third place 2015 Beijing 4×400 m
World Indoor Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2014 Sopot 4×400 m
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Birmingham 400m
World Relay Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2015 Nassau 4×400 m
Diamond League
Second place 2014 400 m hurdles
Second place 2016 400 m hurdles
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 2014 Zürich 400 m hurdles
Gold medal – first place 2016 Amsterdam 4×400 m
Bronze medal – third place 2014 Zürich 4×400 m
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Berlin 4×400 m
European Indoor Championships
Gold medal – first place 2013 Gothenburg 4×400 m
Silver medal – second place 2013 Gothenburg 400 m
Silver medal – second place 2017 Belgrade 4×400 m
Silver medal – second place 2019 Glasgow 4×400 m
European U23 Championships
Silver medal – second place 2009 Kaunas 400 m hurdles
Representing  Scotland
Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place 2010 Delhi 400 m hurdles
Silver medal – second place 2014 Glasgow 400 m hurdles
Silver medal – second place 2018 Gold Coast 400 m hurdles
Representing  Europe
Continental Cup
Silver medal – second place 2014 Marrakesh 400 m hurdles

Eilidh Doyle (pronounced AY-lee /eɪli/; née Child; born 20 February 1987)[1] is a retired British track and field athlete. Originally running as Eilidh Child, she specialised in the 400 metres hurdles outdoors, and the 400 metres flat indoors, as well as the 4 x 400 metres relay on both surfaces. She represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, and won an Olympic bronze medal in the 4 x 400 metres relay at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. Individually, she is the 2014 European Champion and a three-time Commonwealth silver medalist (2010, 2014 and 2018) in the 400 metres hurdles.

In a career marked by consistency, longevity and a particular skill in relay running, in which she was twice a European Champion, Doyle is one of the few athletes to have won medals at every senior international championship theoretically available to her. With 17 medals from major championships, Doyle retired as the most decorated Scottish track and field athlete of all time.[2][3] In addition to her European titles, and Olympic and Commonwealth Games medals, Doyle's honours include three World Championship relay medals (2013, 2015, and 2017), a World Athletics Relays medal in 2015, 2 Diamond League podiums, European Team Championships medals, a Continental Cup medal representing Europe, and individual medals in 400 metres in both World and European Indoor championships.

Doyle reached four global outdoor finals, with a 5th place finish at the World Championships here strongest placement. As of 31 December 2022, Doyle remained the Scottish record holder for the 400 metres hurdles with 54.09 sec (2016)[4] and the indoor 400 metres with 51.45 sec (2013).[5][6] Doyle is a seven-time British, four-time Scottish national champion at the time of her retirement.

Career

Eilidh Child was born in Perth, Scotland. As a youngster, she twice won the U13 Scottish Schools butterfly swimming title. One of her sisters is a writer, the other used to compete at triple jump and her brother is a footballer.

In 2009, Child significantly improved her personal best for the 400m hurdles from 56.84 to 55.32, to finish second at the European U23 Championships in Kaunas, Lithuania, behind fellow British athlete Perri Shakes-Drayton. She also qualified for that year's World Championships in Berlin, reaching the semi-finals. In 2010, she further improved to 55.16 at the London Diamond League in August. Then in October, she won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 55.62.

In 2012, Child ran below 55 seconds for the 400 metres hurdles for the first time, with 54.96 on 2 June in Geneva. Two weeks later, she earned Olympic selection, with 55.53 for second behind Shakes-Drayton at the Olympic trials. At the London Olympics, she reached the semi-finals, running 56.02.

She won two medals at the 2013 European Indoor Championships in Gothenburg, with silver in the 400 metres behind teammate Perri Shakes-Drayton, breaking the Scottish indoor record in the process, with 51.45. She then added a gold in the 4x400 m relay. The British quartet of Christine Ohuruogu, Shana Cox, Child, and Shakes-Drayton also improved the UK indoor record to 3:27.56. Outdoors, she broke the Scottish 400 metres hurdles record with 54.22 in Birmingham in June. Then in August, at the World Championships in Moscow, she ran 54.32 in her semi-final to reach the final. In the final she was fifth in 54.86. Alongside Cox, Margaret Adeoye and Ohuruogu, she won a bronze medal in the 4 x 400 metres relay.

Child captained the first ever Scotland team at the Glasgow International match in January 2014.[7][8] As captain of the GB & NI team at the 2014 World Indoor Championships in Sopot,[9] she won a bronze medal in the 4 x 400 metres relay. 2014 also saw her secure her first 400 metres hurdles British title,[10] and take victory at the first ever IAAF Diamond League meeting in Scotland,[11] the Glasgow Grand Prix.[12] in a European leading time of 54.39.

At the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Child captained the Scottish athletics team to its best medal haul since 1990,[13][14] winning another silver medal in the 400 m hurdles behind Kaliese Spencer of Jamaica. Two weeks later, at the European Championships in Zürich, she won a gold medal in the 400 m hurdles, running 54.48. She became the first British woman to win the European 400 m hurdles title for 20 years, the previous British winner being Sally Gunnell in 1994.[citation needed]

In May 2016, Child won the 400 metres hurdles at the Doha Diamond League meeting in a time of 54.53 seconds, competing for the first time under her married name, Doyle.[15]

On 15 July 2016, she won the Diamond League meeting in Monaco, setting a new personal best of 54.09 seconds. At the Rio Olympics, she reached the final of the 400 metres hurdles, finishing eighth in 54.61, before going on to win a bronze medal in the 4 x 400 metres relay, the first Scottish Olympic track and field medal since 1988.[16]

In July 2017, it was announced that Doyle had been elected by her team-mates as Captain for the GB Team at the World Championships in London,[17] which included the largest number of Scottish athletes ever selected for a major championships.[18] At the Championships she finished 8th in the final of the 400 m hurdles but would go on to win a silver in the 4×400 m relay.

In winning the silver medal, Doyle surpassed Yvonne Murray as the most decorated Scottish athlete in Olympic World, European and Commonwealth competition.[19]

In 2018, Doyle started the season of well winning a bronze medal at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham in a seasons best time,[20] despite tearing her calf in the final.[21] Along with Laura Muir, they were the first Scottish individual medalists at the championships for 25 years.[22]

Chosen by her peers to be the first ever female flag bearer for Scotland (chosen for the opening ceremony) at the Commonwealth Games,[23] she went on to win her third Commonwealth Games silver medal with a time of 54.80 seconds.[24] In August, Doyle made a joint-British record equalling fifth appearance at the European Championships in Berlin[25]

In 2019, Doyle was included in the largest contingent of Scottish athletes to be selected for a British team at a European Indoor Championships for over 50 years.[26]

Retirement

In August 2019, Doyle announced that she would miss the rest of the season as she was due to have a baby in January 2020, although she planned to return to athletics after the birth.[27]

Doyle announced her retirement in May 2021.[28]

Doyle retired as the most decorated Scottish track and field athlete of all time. She accumulated a total of 17 medals from major championships at Olympic, world, European, and Commonwealth level.[29][30] If the World Relays and Continental Cup are to be included the medal tally totals 19.[31][32]

Personal life

Doyle has a degree in Physical Education from Edinburgh University and was formerly a full-time PE teacher at Perth Grammar School until she decided to focus further on her training, allowing her to relocate to Bath.[33] Doyle is a supporter of Hearts FC where she has a season ticket. She wears a maroon and white wristband during all her races in support of the club.[34] In October 2015 she married former 400 metre runner Brian Doyle.[35]

Career achievements

National records

Domestic medals record

International competitions

Circuit wins and titles

400 metres hurdles wins, other events specified in parentheses

Awards and nominations

Notes

  1. ^ a b c The Diamond League winner was determined by the athlete that topped overall points standings after full season is completed.
  2. ^ a b It was her fastest time of all her Diamond League races for that season.
  3. ^ a b c Selected in the 4 x 400 m relay pool, but did not run in the heats or final.[45][46][47]
  4. ^ Great Britain were later upgraded to bronze medal in 4 x 400 m relay. Doyle did not get a medal because she did not run.[48]
  5. ^ Selected to run in the 4 x 400 m relay semi finals, but not in the final.
  6. ^ It the third fastest time and a first podium at event.
  7. ^ 54.39 was her fastest time of all her Diamond League season races, but her fastest time for points-scoring meetings only was 54.76.
  8. ^ Finished second in final points standings, but Diamond League had changed to a championship format in 2017.

References

  1. ^ "Eilidh DOYLE | Profile".
  2. ^ "New exhibition celebrates Scotland's Commonwealth Games heroes". Stirling University. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  3. ^ "Eilidh Doyle, Scotland's most decorated track and field athlete, announces her retirement". The Scotsman. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Women 400 m hurdles Scotland all-time". Power of 10. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  5. ^ "GREAT SHAKES STRIKES TWICE, LAVILLENIE DEFENDS IN DRAMATIC POLE VAULT AT EUROPEAN INDOORS". iaaf.org. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  6. ^ a b "SCOTTISH NATIONAL INDOOR RECORDS". SATS. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
  7. ^ EILIDH CHILD TO CAPTAIN SCOTLAND TEAM IN GLASGOW Archived 9 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine British Athletics. 5 December 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  8. ^ SCOTLAND BRAVE WORLD CLASS ATHLETES AT SAINSBURY'S GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL MATCH Archived 7 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine British Athletics. 25 January 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  9. ^ EILIDH CHILD NAMED GB & NI CAPTAIN FOR WORLD INDOORS Archived 14 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine British Athletics. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  10. ^ DWAIN 'THE TRAIN' MAKES IT EIGHT AT THE SAINSBURY'S BRITISH CHAMPS Archived 3 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine British Athletics. 29 June 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  11. ^ EILIDH CHILD RELISHING HOME SUPPORT AT HAMPDEN Archived 8 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine British Athletics. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  12. ^ CHILD'S PLAY AT HAMPDEN PARK Archived 16 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine British Athletics. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  13. ^ "EILIDH CHILD: NO TIME FOR COMPLACENCY". SSE. Archived from the original on 20 July 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  14. ^ "Eilidh set to get on her mark for the national side again". Fife Today. 13 December 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  15. ^ "Eilidh Doyle claims Diamond League gold in Doha". 6 May 2016.
  16. ^ "'Rio Medal Is So Special,' Eilidh". Scottish Athletics. 5 October 2016. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  17. ^ Jayne Lewis (25 July 2017). "Eilidh Doyle: Christine Ohuruogu & Dai Greene inspire Great Britain captain". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
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  21. ^ "Medaling at the 400m flat: Eilidh Doyle". Run Blog Run. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  22. ^ "Pitreavie AAC's Eilidh Doyle wins 400m bronze medal at IAAF World Indoor Championships". Glasgow Times. 5 March 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
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  24. ^ "Commonwealth Games - BBC Sport". BBC Sport. BBC. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
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  26. ^ "Emirates roar' spurs Scots on to Euro medals in Glasgow". Run ABC. 4 March 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  27. ^ "Eilidh Doyle announces her season is over after revealing she is pregnant". BBC Sport. BBC. 6 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  28. ^ "Eilidh Doyle: Scottish athlete and Olympic medallist retires at age 34". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  29. ^ a b "Eilidh Doyle retires after multiple medals and huge contribution". Scottish Athletics. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  30. ^ "Scottish Athletics Roll of Honour" (PDF). Scottish Athletics. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
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External links

European Athletics Championships champions in women's 400 metres hurdles
European Athletics Championships champions in women's 4 × 400 metres relay
European Indoor Champions in women's 4 × 400 metres relay
British Athletics Championships women's 400 metres hurdles champions
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