Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Scottish pair on Olympics roster again
SPORTS
GROVE Menzieshill hockey club’s official umpire, Sarah Wilson, plus Martin Madden, have been appointed to umpire at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
This will be the second Olympics for both as they officiated at the 2016 event in Rio where both umpired the bronze medal matches.
Sarah and Martin are both vastly-experienced international umpires, having officiated at more than 100 i nternational matches for which they each received their ‘Golden Whistle’.
Since Rio, Sarah has been awarded the FIH Umpire of the Year award, officiated at the Finals of the European Championships, the Commonwealth Games and the i naugural FIH Pro-League.
Martin has recently returned from officiating at the Ready Steady Tokyo event, the test for the Olympics, where he umpired the final between India and New Zealand.
Martin took charge of a World Cup semi-final in December and he was also the video umpire at the final.
He follows in the footsteps of his father Craig, also holder of a FIH Golden Whistle, and who officiated at both the Seoul and Atlanta Olympic Games.
Barbara Morgan, officials convenor commented: “This is a great achievement for both Martin and Sarah to be appointed to their second Olympic Games. I wish them both the very best of luck”.
John Heron, i nternational appointments chair added: “To have t wo umpires at the Olympics is a massive achievement.
“I am delighted for Sarah and Martin. They are fantastic role models for our umpires and officials.”
Scotland’s senior men have broken into the top 20 in the world rankings for the first time.
They were as low as 28th in 2016 and have risen to 19th under coach Derek Forsyth.
Strong performances at the Euro Championships, the World League and the Hockey Series Finals have earned this rise.
The next challenge for the team will be to focus on qualifying for the 2022 World Cup which, if successful, will be a first for the team.
The Notts Sport U/16 and U/18 Boys InterDistrict Championships will be held on Saturday and Sunday at the National Hockey Centre in Glasgow.
The Girls Inter-District Championships will also be on Saturday and Sunday at Peffermill, Edinburgh.
Scotland scrum-half Ali Price admits rugby may never solve its concussion problem.
The topic of player safety has been thrust back into the spotlight following the announcement that Price’s international team-mate David Denton has been forced to retire on the advice of doctors.
The 42-time capped Scotland forward has not featured for club side Leicester or Gregor Townsend’s national team since suffering a serious head knock last October.
Price said: “It’s a shame for Dents and others who have had to call time on their careers with similar issues.”