Part Two

Lynsey Sharp tells Jessica Whittington about why she hopes big changes will bring success in the ‘second half’ of her career

- Jessica Whittington

SHE might not yet know how the story is going to unfold, but Lynsey Sharp can’t wait to continue writing the second chapter of her career.

According to the Scottish 800m star and two-time Olympian, everything up to 2016 marked the first instalment, while the sequel got under way this year.

Sharp admits 2017 didn’t go completely to plan but, taking everything into consideration, the 27-year-old says making her first IAAF World Championships final in London was “a huge success personally”.

Now comes the task of building on that and her other major achievements – which include the 2012 European title plus Commonwealth and European silver medals in 2014 – as she heads into 2018.

It’s a time of change for Sharp. She is finalising arrangements to leave her UK base behind and move out to California to be closer to her coach, Terrence Mahon, while it’s her first winter as an adidas athlete after signing with the sportswear giant this summer.

“I was excited for something different – I really liked what adidas were about,” she explains. “I got on really well with everyone and got on really well with the clothes and shoes as well. It’s exciting to start a new chapter.”