Linsey MacDonald
Encyclopedia
Linsey MacDonald (born February 14, 1964) is a former Scottish
sprinter
from Dunfermline
, Fife
, who specialised in the 400 metres
. She was nicknamed "The Fife Flyer" during her career.
In 1978 MacDonald was a successful schoolgirl runner, where she was British School Girl Champion in the 100
/300 metres. She moved up to been a successful junior runner winning the AAA'S indoor 60 metres championship, she then added the Junior indoor 400 metres a year later.
Her success continued when she won the AAA'S Junior Championships in the 100, and 400 metres in 1979, and 100 and 200 in 1980. Also in 1980 she was AAA's indoor 200 metres champion, as well as U.K. Champion in the 400 metres.
Still at 16 years old MacDonald went with the British team to the 1980 Summer Olympics
in Moscow
, after setting a British Junior record of 51.16 seconds, which still stands, where she ran in the 400 metres and qualified for the Olympic final where she finished 8th in 52.40 seconds. She was a member of the 4x400 metre relay team that went on and secured the Olympic bronze medal.
In 1981 she won the Scottish and the U.K. 100/200 metres Championships, then won a bronze medal at the European Junior Championships.
MacDonald also went with the Scottish team to Brisbane for the 1982 Commonwealth Games
where again she won a bronze medal with the 4x400 relay team. She was eliminated in the heats of the Athens European Championships in 1982.
She never bettered her run of 51.16 at 16.
In 1985 she won the Scottish 400 metres championship, and the AAA's Indoor 400 title.
She was a member of Pitreavie Amateur Athletic Club, and still holds several club records.
MacDonald has degrees in Chemical Engineering
and Medicine
from Edinburgh University and is a General practitioner
.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
sprinter
Sprint (race)
Sprints are short running events in athletics and track and field. Races over short distances are among the oldest running competitions. The first 13 editions of the Ancient Olympic Games featured only one event—the stadion race, which was a race from one end of the stadium to the other...
from Dunfermline
Dunfermline
Dunfermline is a town and former Royal Burgh in Fife, Scotland, on high ground from the northern shore of the Firth of Forth. According to a 2008 estimate, Dunfermline has a population of 46,430, making it the second-biggest settlement in Fife. Part of the town's name comes from the Gaelic word...
, Fife
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
, who specialised in the 400 metres
400 metres
The 400 metres, or 400 metre dash, is a common sprinting event in track and field competitions. It has been featured in the athletics programme at the Summer Olympics since 1896 . On a standard outdoor running track, it is exactly one lap around the track. Runners start in staggered positions and...
. She was nicknamed "The Fife Flyer" during her career.
In 1978 MacDonald was a successful schoolgirl runner, where she was British School Girl Champion in the 100
100 metres
The 100 metres, or 100-metre dash, is a sprint race in track and field competitions. The shortest common outdoor running distance, it is one of the most popular and prestigious events in the sport of athletics. It has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1896...
/300 metres. She moved up to been a successful junior runner winning the AAA'S indoor 60 metres championship, she then added the Junior indoor 400 metres a year later.
Her success continued when she won the AAA'S Junior Championships in the 100, and 400 metres in 1979, and 100 and 200 in 1980. Also in 1980 she was AAA's indoor 200 metres champion, as well as U.K. Champion in the 400 metres.
Still at 16 years old MacDonald went with the British team to the 1980 Summer Olympics
1980 Summer Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In addition, the yachting events were held in Tallinn, and some of the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament...
in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, after setting a British Junior record of 51.16 seconds, which still stands, where she ran in the 400 metres and qualified for the Olympic final where she finished 8th in 52.40 seconds. She was a member of the 4x400 metre relay team that went on and secured the Olympic bronze medal.
In 1981 she won the Scottish and the U.K. 100/200 metres Championships, then won a bronze medal at the European Junior Championships.
MacDonald also went with the Scottish team to Brisbane for the 1982 Commonwealth Games
1982 Commonwealth Games
The 1982 Commonwealth Games were held in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia from 30 September–9 October 1982. The Opening Ceremony was held at the QEII Stadium , in the Brisbane suburb of Nathan. The QEII Stadium was also the venue which was used for the athletics and archery competitions during the...
where again she won a bronze medal with the 4x400 relay team. She was eliminated in the heats of the Athens European Championships in 1982.
She never bettered her run of 51.16 at 16.
In 1985 she won the Scottish 400 metres championship, and the AAA's Indoor 400 title.
She was a member of Pitreavie Amateur Athletic Club, and still holds several club records.
MacDonald has degrees in Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with physical science , and life sciences with mathematics and economics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms...
and Medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
from Edinburgh University and is a General practitioner
General practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
.