Scottish Olympic Legend Liz McColgan Warns of Health Risks After Facial Lesions Removed
Liz McColgan, the Scottish Olympic legend, has warned of increased health risks after undergoing surgery to remove lesions from her face. The 61-year-old from Dundee shared photographs of her stitches on Instagram to highlight the consequences of prolonged sun exposure.
Public health message
In a frank social post, McColgan described how she once avoided sun protection during training. She said creams felt uncomfortable and made her sweat, so she often skipped them.
She called that approach “ignorance” and said it brought lasting consequences. McColgan urged athletes to take skin care seriously to reduce future risk.
Details of the procedure
McColgan revealed she had two lesions removed from her face in recent surgery. She showed images of stitches to underline the seriousness of the treatment.
The former world 10,000m champion said the operation was a stark reminder to younger and older athletes alike. She advised making sun protection a routine part of outdoor training.
Career highlights and family
- Former world 10,000m champion.
- Olympic silver medallist at the 1988 Seoul Games.
- Winner of the New York Marathon in 1991.
- Completed the 1997 London Marathon in 2:26:52 and won the race the previous year.
Her daughter, Eilish McColgan, is a 35-year-old long-distance runner who followed in her footsteps. McColgan also spoke about personal loss after her husband, John Nuttall, died in 2023 at age 56.
About her late husband
John Nuttall was a long-distance runner and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in Canada in 1994. He represented Great Britain at the 1996 Olympics and competed at several World Championships.
Practical advice for athletes
McColgan emphasised that sun protection should be as routine as warming up and cooling down. She noted there are plenty of sunscreen options suitable for sport today.
Her message urged athletes to prioritise long-term health and skin protection alongside training and nutrition.
Filmogaz.com will continue to follow any updates on McColgan’s recovery. Her public message aims to remind sportspeople that skin care matters for performance and longevity.
