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McNally to compete at world championships





Inverness Harrier Abbie McNally has been called up to the Great Britain squad that will compete at the World Para Athletics Junior Championships.

The Alness sprinter is one of 15 athletes who has been called up to the national squad that will compete in Switzerland in August.

McNally (18) who has cerebral palsy, will compete in the under-20 women's section of the T37 100 metres and 200 metres at the championship which will take place at Nottwill.

Despite having earned a reputation as one of the top sprinters for her age group in the world, McNally says being called up to the Great Britain squad was still a shock when she received the news.

Abbie McNally has been called up to the Great Britain squad. Picture: Gary Anthony
Abbie McNally has been called up to the Great Britain squad. Picture: Gary Anthony

"I wasn't expecting to be called up at all," she said.

"From where I came from to where I am it is amazing to think that I have been called up."

McNally sealed her selection after impressive performances at the Italian Para Athletics Grand Prix in Grosetto earlier this month.

She claimed gold in the 200-metre sprint with a time of 31.12 just outside her personal best of 30.95.

She also won bronze in the 100 metres with a personal best of 14.98.

McNally is hoping for medal success in both events, but says there is one distance where she is eyeing victory,

Arguably more impressively, she took bronze in the 100m with a career best time, dipping under 15 seconds.

The 200 metres is my favoured event as I think I am stronger at that distance than I am at 100 metres.

But I love running at both distances but the 200 metres is the one that I love the most.

"I was one of the youngest competitors in Italy and I was running against some of the world's best athletes. One of the athletes was the world record holder was in her class.

"It was a great experience to take part in and it was good preparation.

McNally will be competing in Manchester next month before heading out to Switzerland for the championship that take place between, Thursday, August 1 and Sunday, August 4.

She believes if she races to her full potential she can come home with medals.

"I hope that I will have a good chance.

"I am just going to go out and do my best and I will see where that will take me and see what I can come home with."


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