Laura Muir awarded bronze medal nine years after European Athletics championships due to doping ruling

Scottish runner Laura Muir is to be awarded a retrospective bronze medal nine years after competing in the European Athletics Indoor championships.

A recollection of medals from the Women’s 3000m at the European Indoors in Prague in 2015 is under way after race winner Yelena Korobkina was found guilty of doping offences.

The Russian athlete, now banned for four years, beat Muir who came fourth in the race almost a decade ago.

Korobkina, after a ruling by the Athletics Integrity Unit, will have her results expunged for a period of three years between July 2013 and July 2016.

Muir won double gold in the 1500m and 3000m at the European indoor event in Belgrade in 2017 but the latest prize would have been her first senior international medal at the age of 21.

Sviatlana Kudzelich of Belarus, who finished runner-up in 2015, will be now be issued with a gold medal while Maureen Koster of Holland will be handed a silver medal.

The bronze takes Inverness athlete Muir to an impressive 14 medals spanning from 2015 to last year, after she won an Olympic silver medal in Tokyo in 2021.

A reallocated medal ceremony will also take place to reflect the new standings after the ruling, and Muir admits she is happy to see the results rectified for those who compete “within the rules” of athletics.

She told Scottish Athletics: “Hearing the news that I will be receiving a championship medal almost a decade after the race itself is one of mixed emotions.

“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.

Laura Muir won a gold medal in the 1500m at the 2023 European Indoors in Istanbul. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

“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.”