Allan Smith targets London after making European high jump final

Capital high jumper Allan Smith has vowed to use his European Indoor Championships experience to propel him towards raising the bar at this summer's world championships in London after finishing eighth in his first major final last night.
Allan Smith competes in the men's high jump at the 2017 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade (Getty Images)Allan Smith competes in the men's high jump at the 2017 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade (Getty Images)
Allan Smith competes in the men's high jump at the 2017 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade (Getty Images)

The 24-year-old from South Queensferry could only clear a disappointing 2.18 metres in Belgrade as British team-mate Robbie Grabarz landed silver behind Poland’s Sylwester Bednarek.

But there is definitely more to come if he can get every element right.

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“The height was well there. My first attempt at 2.23m, I hit it at the very end and missed the next two by so little. I was in shape to jump high but it didn’t happen. It’s frustrating,” he said.

“It’s about taking it up an extra five centimetres. If you’re consistent at the next height, you’ll be in contention at any competition. I just have to get up to that next bar. Now my target is world champs in London, to get to the final, and do better outdoors.”

The British team flew home from Serbia this morning with ten medals in total, equalling their previous best at the championships which will next be staged in Glasgow in 2019.

Top of the tree was two golds from Perthshire’s Laura Muir who followed up her British record-breaking 1500m victory on Saturday with a brilliant 3000m triumph last night, with Eilish McColgan ending up in bronze.

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“Halfway through the race I was thinking I’m feeling a bit tired,” Muir said. “I managed to hang in there and knew I had the kick so I just waited until 300 to go and then I went for it.”

Pitreavie’s Eilidh Doyle spearheaded GB&NI’s push to silver in the 4x400m relay with the Edinburgh University graduate landing her tenth major championship medal.

Now the Hearts supporter will look to add to the tally this summer.

“The whole aim for my indoor season was to be more aggressive and take that into the hurdles. My coach said it’s the most aggressive he’s seen me and although I didn’t get the [individual] 400m medal, I’m taking a lot of positives now into the outdoor season which is really what it’s all about.”

Asha Philip grabbed gold in the 60 metres with silvers for Shelayna Oskan-Clarke in the 800m and Lorraine Ugen in the long jump with a British record of 6.97m.