European Athletics have confirmed that Laura Muir has been awarded a retrospective European Indoor bronze after Russian Yelena Korobkina was found guilty of doping offences.
Scottish Athletics confirmed today there would be a reallocation of medals from the Women’s 3000m at the 2015 European Indoors in the Czech Republic.
Muir finished fourth in the final in Prague but it was announced in November by the Athletics Integrity Unit that race winner Yelena Korobkina had been found guilty of doping offences.
The Russian athlete has been banned for four years (from September 2023) and will have her results expunged for a period of three years (from July 2013 to July 2016).
That timespan thus covers the 2015 European Indoors and the Scot will now receive a newly-issued bronze medal with gold for Sviatlana Kudzelich of Belarus and silver for Maureen Koster of Holland.
"Hearing the news that I will be receiving a championship medal almost a decade after the race itself is one of mixed emotions," Muir told scottishathletics.org.uk.
"Predominantly I feel very fortunate and grateful to receive the bronze medal, particularly when still competing at an elite level, as I am aware many athletes are not afforded that opportunity.
"Had I received the medal on the day of the race in Prague in 2015, it would have been my first senior international medal at an age of 21 years old.
"Missing out on that special moment, especially as I was not on the podium on the night, was very difficult. But looking back it made me more determined than ever to ensure the same outcome didn’t happen for future championships. Which luckily has been the case!
"I would like to say a massive thank you to all those involved in the process which results in the medal now being awarded to me.
"I cannot emphasise or explain how much it means to the athletes to have the results rectified and the medals awarded to those who compete within the rules of our sport.
"So I am very excited to see that particular European Indoors 2015 medal and it will have a proud place alongside my other sporting accomplishments."
Muir was denied a podium moment in 2015, but now a reallocated medal ceremony will be arranged to try and give due acknowledgement of the achievement.
The 2015 Euro Indoor bronze means Muir currently holds the magnificent tally of 14 significant podium moments across Worlds, European, Commonwealth and Olympics (plus two further Diamond League victories).
It also means Muir has claimed an international medal every year from 2015 to 2023 with the exception of 2016 (and the Covid-hit 2020).
Laura Muir’s Medal Haul in full
2023 European Indoors 1500m gold Istanbul
2022 European Champs 1500m gold Munich
2022 Commonwealth Games 800m bronze and 1500m gold Birmingham
2022 World Champs 1500m bronze Oregon
2021 Olympics 1500m silver Tokyo
2019 European Indoors 1500m gold and 3000m gold Glasgow
2018 European Champs 1500m gold Berlin
2018 World Indoors 1500m silver and 3000m bronze Birmingham
2017 European Indoors 1500m gold and 3000m gold Belgrade
2015 European Indoors 3000m bronze Prague
