Thomas the latest Muirhead in the spotlight

Jan 10 2012 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THOMAS Muirhead insists he’s more than ready to emerge from the shadow of his family’s curling dynasty when he makes his Team GB bow at the Winter Youth Olympic Games, writes Tom Reynolds.

With big sister Eve the current darling of the sport and reigning European champion – having skipped the GB team at the senior Olympics in Vancouver – brother Glen playing for Scotland at the Euros, and top coach and father Gordon also a Games veteran, Thomas admits he’s used to play second fiddle in the household.

However, that will come to a stop in Austria this week as Muirhead junior, just 16, will be the centre of attention as part of a 24-strong GB team in the Tyrol.

Sister Eve will still be in close quarters having been appointed as an athlete role model by the IOC while father Gordon will be in the stands looking on.

And Thomas believes he and his rink can steal the show in the perfect manner, by claiming a medal.

“I think we will definitely be able to medal,” said Muirhead, from Blair Atholl. “And we have got a good chance of getting a gold medal.

“Having watched Eve in Vancouver it will be nice to have an opportunity to be out there myself and hopefully do well.

“It’s good to have a shot myself and to have the experience of being at a Youth Olympic Games and having my chance.

“It’s all about Eve at the moment so it will be good to have my opportunity in the spotlight.”

Despite his sister’s jet-setting lifestyle – she already has a senior World Championship silver medal to her name – for Thomas the trip to the Tyrol is a first.

The 16-year-old has yet to play outside Scotland and admits the experience of rubbing shoulders with over 1,000 athletes from all over the world will be almost as rewarding as a medal on the ice.

“It will be good to have the whole package with my first event playing abroad as well as having everything that goes with it being an Olympics and such a big event,” he added.

“I have played against some teams from Sweden and Norway before but never any teams from America or Canada so that will be interesting.

“The aim is to play in the senior team alongside Eve one day and hopefully get a gold medal.”

The British Olympic Association prepares and leads British athletes at the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games. It works in partnership with sport National Governing Bodies to enhance Olympic success and is responsible for championing the Olympic values. www.olympics.org.uk