I’m an Olympian who has won medals for Team GB but my boyfriend is a top star in an extreme sport
HER boyfriend hits top speeds on a motorbike for a living.
Now Jemma Reekie wants 2024 to be the season when she sets the pace.
The Beith flier’s partner is motocross star John Adamson.
The pair’s elite sporting commitments mean they often aren’t there for each other’s big occasions.
But 800m star Reekie, 25, says the relationship works because they know exactly how the other is feeling in good times and bad.
She said: “It’s hard but we understand each other’s sports. We spend long spells apart and have the highs and lows of our achievements.
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“It’s always going to be tricky. but we know it won’t last forever that way.
“John and I both have high expectations of ourselves and that’s maybe why we get along so well.
“In the low times, like last year when I had glandular fever, I was so lucky to have him there.
“One of the things we both find hard is we’d both love each other to be at more things we compete in.
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“We’re both based in Brighton now, though, so it works a lot better.
“John’s season sometimes runs a bit longer than mine so after the season I can get to some of his events.
“The Commonwealth Games being in Birmingham last year made it easy for him to pop up for the day.
“He was at the London Diamond League too which was good because I ran well.”
Adamson races for the ASA United GASGAS team — but you won’t catch Reekie near his bike.
She said: “Have I had a go? No, I don’t think he’d let me! It’s scarier than athletics.
“The worst-case scenario for me is I’ll skin my knee if I trip up. But if he wasn’t doing what he’s doing, he’d be doing something else for his adrenalin. I’d much rather he was on the bike.”
Reekie saw her progress stall in 2022 after illness saw her fail to make the finals of the Worlds and Commonwealths in her favoured 800m.
She split from long-time coach Andy Young back in March to link up with Brighton-based Jon Bigg.
Reekie admits she’s found her love for the sport again, and after finishing fifth in this year’s World Championships wants more.
After the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, it’s the Olympics in Paris.
Reekie added: “If you’d said in February I’d have the season I did, I’d have taken it. Last year I was a shell of the athlete I was in 2021.
“But after working with Jon for a couple of months I quickly changed my mindset and I wanted to get a medal at the worlds.
“It’s been a bit of a comeback season but it’s made me hungrier for next year.
“Jon was quite direct about expectations. He wanted to get me back running happy and healthy.
“I wasn’t enjoying it and he made that so easy for me. Within weeks I was back to myself and that felt like an achievement.
“I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in. It didn’t come out this summer but we’ve only been working together a few five months.
“I told Jon after Budapest, in 2024 I have to medal in Glasgow and Paris. That’s all I’m accepting!”
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- Reekie was speaking ahead of the World Indoor Athletics Championships which take place in Glasgow on March 1-3 2024. More at wicglasgow24.com
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