Experience of a lifetime at Olympics
Perth and Kinross athletes did the region proud at the summer’s Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro - and what an experience it must have been.
Swimmers Stephen Milne and Camilla Hattersley, track stars Laura Muir and Eilidh Doyle and canoeist Fiona Pennie were all Brazilbound for the event tagged as the world’s greatest sporting spectacle.
And there were two medals returning with Milne bagging a silver in the 4x200m freestyle alongside former Strathallan student Duncan Scott and Doyle securing bronze as part of Team GB’s 4x400m relay team.
A delighted Milne said of the triumph: “I still, in some ways, can’t believe it. I’ve got this medal forever now.
“I went to Rio hoping to do my best and enjoy the experience. But to come away with a medal in my first Olympics is just unbelievable.
“I did say when I was over in Rio that it was the best thing I have ever done. I genuinely enjoyed every second of it.
“I would love to do it all again.”
Fellow Perth swimmer Hattersley gave a good account of herself in the 800m freestyle and 4x200 relay, while Muir finished seventh in the 1500m out on the track.
Pennie splashed into the water and agonisingly finished sixth in the kayak K1 final.
There was Perth representation at the Paralympic Games, which were also staged in Rio.
Boccia star Joshua Rowe was flying the flag for the area and Scott Milne – brother of Stephen – was on duty as a swim official.
There is a strong feeling that Perth and Kinross will continue to prosper in the coming years.