FORMER Pitreavie AAC athlete and Olympic medallist Ellidh Doyle has said medals at the sport's elite level wouldn't be possible without a huge volume of volunteers.

The 36-year-old, who retired from athletics in 2021, ahead of the delayed Tokyo Olympic Games, revealed at the scottishathletics and jogscotland 4J Studios Annual Awards that she has appreciated the impact of others in an athlete's career more since she hung up her spikes.

Doyle, a successful 400-metre hurdles competitor, was speaking at the event which saw Fife AC's Steve Doig named Para Performance Coach of the Year.

The annual awards showcased the achievements of athletes and clubs, as well as shining a light on coaches and volunteers.

Dunfermline Press: Eilidh retired in 2021 after a stellar athletics career.Eilidh retired in 2021 after a stellar athletics career. (Image: Bobby Gavin.)

Eilidh, who won a 4x400m relay bronze at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, was guest of honour at the event.

During a stellar career, she also won three 400m hurdles silver medals at the Commonwealth Games; individual and relay gold at European Championship level; and two silver medals, and a bronze, in relay events at the World Championships.

Eilidh, who now sits on Scottish Athletics' board of directors, told the audience: "It is something I have appreciated more since I retired from the sport – how everyone has a role to play.

"I’ve started to see the other side or the full picture if you like. As an athlete going through your own journey you tend to be quite focused on yourself and your performance.

"You are aware of the pathway, but you don’t probably appreciate fully who is doing what. There are so many people involved and contributing to the athlete’s journey.

"I’m talking about Scottish Schools events, coaches on a weekly basis, picked teams, officials measuring jumps, photo-finish or time-keeping, there are so many people helping. Without folk in those roles, we would not have medallists at World champs – it’s that simple."