A new children's picture book celebrating the life and career of Scottish runner Eilish McColgan has been published, with the aim of inspiring young girls to take up sport.
Inspiring the Next Generation
The book, simply titled Eilish, is targeted at children aged two to five years old. It tells the story of the Dundee athlete's journey, from her early days to her current status as a four-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
Family Connections and Creative Team
Written by mother and daughter writing team Emily and Lily Hulland, the publication includes charming cartoon drawings of McColgan's mother, Liz, who is herself a former world champion runner. This family connection adds a personal touch to the narrative, highlighting the sporting legacy within the McColgan family.
Sharing details of the book online, Eilish McColgan expressed her enthusiasm, stating that she 'loves' the publication. The authors have clearly captured the athlete's spirit and achievements in a format accessible to very young readers.
Career Highlights and Current Form
The book details McColgan's significant accomplishments, including her gold medal victory in the Women's 10,000m at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 for Team Scotland. Furthermore, it references her recent breaking of the European record for the women's 10k in Valencia this month.
Looking ahead, the track star plans to compete again at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this July, demonstrating her ongoing dedication to the sport at the highest level.
Educational and Motivational Goals
The authors, Emily and Lily Hulland, have stated their mission is to 'rewrite the myths about girls in sport by increasing the visibility of female athletes where it matters most – in early childhood.'
They elaborated, explaining that 'Young readers are introduced to the different distances Eilish competes in, how long they take her to run, and the dedication behind her success.' This educational approach aims to demystify athletic training and showcase the hard work involved in achieving sporting excellence.
By presenting McColgan's story in an engaging picture book format, the project seeks to plant the seeds of inspiration, encouraging a new generation of girls to see themselves as potential athletes and to embrace the world of sports from a very young age.
