The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Jim Spence on Saturday
Stewart’s gold medal richly deserved
Dundonians winning Commonwealth Games gold medals are as rare as hens’ teeth, so Mark Stewart’s return to Dundee with one from Australia should be celebrated in style.
He joins Dick Mctaggart and Liz Mccolgan in an exclusive group, and plans to rename the Caird Park Velodrome after him are fitting.
They would also recognise the great work of the many volunteers who have put huge efforts into developing the Discovery Junior Cycling Club, of which Mark was a member, from scratch 13 years ago to its current successful position.
Mark’s brother Kevin, a sprinter, represented Scotland at the Delhi Commonwealth Games, and fine young cyclists are emerging from the club. The gold medal gives them, and kids who may now flock to the club, an enormous boost.
In the wake of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the legacy saw a big uplift in the number of children joining.
Words of caution though – track and road racing are tough, gruelling sports.
Mark Stewart’s face after the demands of the 40km points race was testament to the staminasapping, lung-bursting demands on the body.
As Sir Chris Hoy tweeted: “Last time I looked like this was when I stepped on one of my wee boy’s bits of Lego.”
Etched on Stewart’s face was all the pain and suffering from a phenomenal physical effort to take gold ahead of England’s Ethan Hayter and New Zealand’s Campbell Stewart.
I’ve watched Mark’s fierce ambition and drive to be the best he could be since age 12 and, in the 10 years since, that has strengthened.
His Australian gold medal is rich reward for the sacrifices he has made, and further glory surely lies ahead for this 22-year-old who shows courage and heart in abundance every time he gets on his bike.
Financial challenges ahead
Dundee FC took some stick in midweek for announced price rises, which would see games against Celtic and Rangers cost £30 next season.
Running a professional football club is not easy, though, and the American owners are already making significant losses.
The rent for a stadium long past its sell by date and the wage bill for a big squad are substantial.
When Dundee fans had control of the club they couldn’t wait to offload it to someone with money.
As neighbouring United fans have discovered, there is severe unwillingness among local buyers or investors to put their hardearned cash into either of the city sides.
Both appear to be guaranteed to cost the owners money.
The financial upkeep of both outfits is, I think, becoming a major issue, and may yet force serious thinking as to what the future of the two clubs is.
Dundee are hoping to move to a new stadium but still need to overcome some obstacles if it’s to happen.
United need to escape a division which is crucifying them financially, and are hoping that possible American investment will secure their future.
Neither club currently can be filled with optimism for the road ahead.