Meet the Greta Thunberg of Team GB Athletics who’s turned down events to avoid flying

ECO WARRIOR Innes FitzGerald is ‘gutted’ the British Athletics squad took a flight not the Eurostar to Holland for the European Athletics Indoor Championships.

The Greta Thunberg of track-and-field might only be 18 years old, but she cares deeply about highlighting environmental issues.

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Innes Fitzgerald cares a lot about highlighting environmental issues[/caption]

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She prefers not to fly to events[/caption]

Two years ago, FitzGerald – who is studying Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Exeter – skipped a cross-country event in Australia in “solidarity” of the “climate breakdown”.

And to attend a race in Turin, she took trains, coaches and even rode a bicycle instead of taking a straightforward, direct flight to Italy.

Yet for this latest event in Apeldoorn, she reluctantly flew with teammates into Amsterdam because she did not have enough time to sort out a train schedule.

FitzGerald, who hails from Beer in Devon, said: “Unfortunately, this time, I hadn’t managed to sort it out.

“Logistically, it’s been quite complicated. I’ve been very busy with uni stuff and other different family issues.

“I do feel like I should be getting the train there and that’s definitely something I’m going to be doing in the future.

“And for me, it’s quite gutting that the whole team aren’t going together on the train, considering it’s so close and so easy to do.

“But I’ll continue to talk out about environmental issues in the future, because I know it’s really important. I strongly believe that we as athletes have a responsibility.

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“There’s always more they can do, whether that’s World Athletics or British Athletics, or any other organisations.

“I think there’s always more to be done and I’ll continue to campaign for that.

“Whenever I’m getting on a flight, it’s never easy. I’m always thinking: ‘Oh, I shouldn’t be doing this.’

“But I know that I’ve got to go to these championships to fulfil my dreams as a professional athlete.

“So, it’s just about balancing that and trying to do as much as I can in other areas of my life to try and make up for it – and speak out and raise awareness.

“Greta is very inspirational. She has managed to mobilise so many young people.

“I think it’s a compliment to be associated with her. If I can do anything near to what she’s done, then I’ll be very happy.”

Her first appearance wearing a senior GB top will be on Saturday morning in the heats for the women’s 3,000 metres.

A successful junior cross-country runner, FitzGerald finished third in the indoor trials in Birmingham but was selected when second-place Laura Muir suffered a calf injury.

FitzGerald is coached by Gavin Pavey – the husband of five-time Olympian Jo – and she said: “There’s not too much pressure on me because of my age and it’s my first senior GB vest.

“I just want to go out there and enjoy it. Hopefully I’ll get into that final. That’s where I believe I belong.

“Hopefully I’ll compete for one of those medals. But just getting close, that’s the main thing.”