McKINNA Sophie

General
FUNDING BACKFLIP
In 2013/14 she trained full-time with the help of funding from British Athletics [BA], but in early 2020 she initially rejected the chance to return to full-time funding, preferring to continue her work with Norfolk Police. "I enjoy working and I think a happy athlete is one that performs well. Sometimes you can get too caught up in the sport and don't switch off. When I was on funding before [2013/14], my brain almost turned to mush." However, in August 2020 she decided to accept a place on BA's world class programme due to uncertainty around the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted her to take a break from her work with Norfolk Police. "It was really simple for me - I had to think long term what would be the best for my health. I have not been working during this time [COVID-19 pandemic] and they have been really understanding and I will go back there when I feel it's safe to do so. British Athletics don't say whether I can work or not [while being part of the world class programme]. My coach and I just thought it was for the best [to get on the programme] because no-one really knows what the long-term consequences could be. I want to go to the Olympics in the best possible shape with no health concerns." (edp24.co.uk, 08 Sep 2020; bbc.co.uk, 07 Feb 2020; athleticsweekly.com, 07 Feb 2020; edp24.co.uk, 09 Oct 2019; thetimes.co.uk, 02 Dec 2019; uka.org.uk, 14 Oct 2013)

OCCUPATION
She works as a custody detention officer at Norfolk Police's Investigation Centre in Great Yarmouth, England, but took a break from the job during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Working with the kind of people I do, it can be quite dangerous and anything can happen. It doesn't matter who I am or what I have done in my athletics career, people will treat me exactly the same as everybody else who works there. I have to have my wits about me the whole time. There can't be any room for error. I can go into work, become the work side of my life and not worry about athletics. That is very important [for me] personally." She also works as a gym instructor at the Sentinel Leisure Trust sports complex in Lowestoft. (edp.co.uk, 08 Sep 2020; bbc.co.uk, 07 Feb 2020; athleticsweekly.com, 07 Feb 2020; edp24.co.uk, 09 Oct 2019; thetimes.co.uk, 02 Dec 2019; uka.org.uk, 14 Oct 2013)

Her silver medal at the 2011 World Youth Championships in Lille, France, made her the first female British athlete to win a medal in shot put at the world youth championships. (SportsDeskOnline, 01 Apr 2020; bbc.co.uk, 8 Jul 2011)