AN INSPIRATIONAL athlete’s achievements have been highlighted in the Scottish Parliament.

Maria Lyle became a six-time European champion after clinching gold in the T35 100m at the World Para-athletics European Championships last month.

The 18-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, then spoke about her struggle with her mental health over the last year.

Iain Gray, East Lothian MSP, highlighted the teenager’s achievements at Holyrood, where a number of his colleagues also backed his praise of the former Dunbar Grammar School pupil.

The motion reads: “That the Parliament congratulates 18-year-old Maria Lyle, who is from Dunbar, on successfully defending her T35 100m European title at the World Para Athletics European Championships in Berlin; notes that Maria already has three Paralympic medals, six European titles, a Commonwealth silver and five World medals, which it considers a remarkable achievement for such a young athlete; commends Maria on her determination and commitment to athletics and her decision to speak publicly about the pressures and difficulties that she has faced as young elite athlete, and the impact it has had on her personal life and mental health, and believes that Maria is a fantastic role model for young people in Scotland.”

Maria’s decision to comment on mental health was widely praised.

The Dunbar teenager, who pulled out of the event’s 200m race through injury, said: “I have had a tough year and struggled with my mental health.

“I have had a few difficult years and when you don’t perform it can eat you up as a person when you expect so much.”