The Rio grand
SCOTLAND SET TO CASH IN ON ‘OLYMPIC BOUNCE’ AS HISTORIC GAMES COMES TO CLOSE.
THE gold rush enjoyed by Team GB in Rio has left Scotland’s sporting bodies ready to capitalise on interest spilling over from the success of the games. Organisers of differing sports across the country say they have already experienced a surge in interest as they wait for “Olympic fever” to kick in.
Scotland enjoyed a bounce in interest as part of the Commonwealth Games legacy and those at grassroots level say lessons learned from that means they are much better equipped to take advantage again now.
Stewart Harris, chief executive of sportscotland which is organising a homecoming event for athletes, claimed significant investment in schools and community programmes was a major factor in Scotland’s latest Olympic successes.
And he hopes that could be a springboard for yet more medal joy in the future.
He said: “When Glasgow was awarded the Commonwealth Games we put our heads together and decided to create a worldclass system that would involve supporting schools, clubs, coaches and leaders, and create further facilities.
“If future generations are inspired by the Olympics we can immediately signpost them into something appropriate. If they have the talent and want to develop we believe there are now pathways that allow them to do just that.”
Among those quick off the mark has been Scottish Rowing which launched its Project Rio programme back in April to help clubs to prepare to support beginners.
Now, armed with gold medal-winning performances by Scottish rowers Katherine Grainger and Heather Stanning, they will hold a Rio Regatta in Strathclyde Park in September.
Jane Steele, club secretary of Stirling Rowing Club, said: “Everyone that we’ve spoken to is so inspired by the Olympics. They have really caught the bug.”
Scottish swimming is also planning to make the most of Olympic successes with Patrick Miley – father and coach of Hannah Miley who narrowly missed bronze – supporting the first of a series of launches of its National Framework for Swimming in Scotland in Aberdeen next month.
Gary Coltman, head of performance for Scottish Cycling, said that many of the young people he worked with were “absolutely buzzing” about the successes of Scottish cyclists.
He said being able to see gold medalist Katie Archibald train in Glasgow and Callum Skinner lift gold made aspiring contenders believe that it really could be them one day too.
Coltman added: “One thing that this does is help people to believe that if they work hard, they really can achieve this.”
But Coltman admitted that barriers were still in place with cost, particularly for families in deprived areas, often prohibitive.
Other barriers already identified by the Scottish Government include poor body image and self-esteem, a lack of opportunities and facilities and the attitude of friends and family. Some still question what legacy values truly exist from such events.
John Taylor, lecturer in sports policy at the University of Stirling said: “There are a lot of claims made that national sporting events can inspire the country to become more active – but the evidence actually shows that there is no step change in terms of participation.
“However studies have shown support at a grassroots level can make a difference,” he added.