Josh Kerr ‘to be worshipped as a hero’ back home after silver medal win

A Scottish athlete who won a silver medal in the 1500m at the Olympics will be treated “as a hero” by aspiring runners on his return to Scotland, according to his first-ever coach.

Josh Kerr finished behind Cole Hocker of the US in the race in Paris.

The 26-year-old honed his craft at the Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh and it was full of coaches, fans and friends cheering him on on Tuesday.

Eric Fisher, Kerr’s first-ever coach, had mixed emotions as the runner’s achievement took Team GB’s total number of medals up to 45.

Mr Fisher, who began coaching Kerr when he was just eight, said: “I suppose I am sad but at the same time delighted.

“He got a silver, so we won’t give up on him! He’s got a bronze and silver, and in four years’ time the gold to get the a full set.

“These kids will be waiting to welcome Josh back into the stadium.

“He came back with his bronze last time and I’m sure when he’s coming back again we’ll all be here to welcome him, and we’re all very proud of him.

“We’ll tell him, ‘Josh, make sure next time it’s gold!'”

Asked what fans can expect next from the track star, he said he will compete in the Commonwealth Games, the British and European championships, and may eventually move up to longer distances, such as the 5000m track run.

Mr Fisher said: “I’m really proud because Josh will come back here and he treats the kids as athletes, as equals, for being at the top.

“It’s not like some of the footballers, who, let’s face it, they’re not playing at a high level but they think they’re the bee’s knees, they’re the gods.

“These are top world-class athletes and they come back and associate with the kids, and that’s one of the things that I’ve taught them to be.

“Be the best they can possibly be, and that’s not just in the running but as a human being, as a character, somebody they can look up to, somebody as a hero, and all these kids will be worshipping him as a hero.”

Three times Olympian and former 400m runner Lee McConnell was also at the sports centre and described the race as an “exciting watch”.

Ms McConnell said: “Obviously, he’s lost the world champs the last two times, so he’s obviously thinking he needs to go out hard in order to have a chance of winning, and that’s what he did, but everyone had to go with him and some people paid the price on that home straight, as it was a really tough pace they were having to finish off of, and it was a close race for all the medals.”

She said second place was an “incredible achievement” and “not something that you should really be disappointed at”.

Asked if she thinks he will compete in the 2028 Olympics, she said: “There’s no reason why he wouldn’t go for it again.

“He’s at a good age, he’s only going to get better and stronger. I think probably getting the silver will give him more motivation.”

The National Lottery supports athletes to get to the Olympics and also supports grassroots facilities like Meadowbank.