ATHLETICS star Eilish McColgan is to be given an honorary degree by a Scottish university.
The runner, who competed for Team GB in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is set to be awarded a Doctor of Laws degree by the University of Dundee.
Commonwealth champion McColgan, 31, attended the university in 2008 for a maths and accountancy degree but left to compete in the London 2012 Olympics before she could complete her studies.
The Dundee-born sportswoman will be presented the degree along with three other exceptional figures at the winter graduation ceremonies.
Witches of Scotland campaigners Claire Mitchell KC and Zoe Venditozzi will be receiving the same degree.
READ MORE: Scotland’s Hollie Davidson appointed to referee women’s World Cup final
The duo launched the Women’s Day 2020 campaign to obtain apologies for those accused and killed as witches.
Professor Sosten Chiotha will also be awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in recognition of his achievements for his work highlighting poverty and ecosystems in Africa.
The graduation ceremony will take place on Thursday November 17 and Friday November 18 at the university campus.
Professor Iain Gillespie, principal and vice-chancellor of the university, said: “I am delighted that we will be able to honour Eilish, Claire, Zoe and Sosten at our graduation.
“They have all made a great impact in their respective endeavours, which is truly inspiring for everyone in our university community and far beyond.
READ MORE: Mental wellbeing of adult Scots on the decline, health survey suggests
“Professor Chiotha has been of Africa’s strongest voices on sustainability and poverty alleviation in lower-income countries.
“Claire and Zoe have led a campaign which has resonated around the world and which has already resulted in an apology from the First Minister for the wrongs of a dark period in Scotland’s past.
“I know I was not alone in all but shouting myself hoarse in encouragement at Eilish’s athletic achievements over the course of this summer, noting also the huge impact she is having off the track with her efforts to lower the barriers for young women to get into athletics.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here