Former athlete shares shattered Olympic dream.

Scottish champion was denied Olympic chance because he had taken part in Highland games

A former champion athlete from Fife has told how he was denied his dream of starring at the greatest show on earth.

Sprinter and long jumper James Robb, 80, was a Scottish record holder but was stopped from representing his country or competing in the Olympic Games.

He had competed as a professional at the Highland games and one firm rule that governed the Olympic Games at the time was that only amateur athletes were permitted to take part.

With the Highland games season well under way, Mr Robb shared his story in the hope that more athletes will come forward with their memories of how their athletic careers were restricted due to the strict amateur rules at the time.

He represented the RAF athletics team where he was renowned for his prowess and he broke RAF records in the 100 yards, 220 yards and the hop, step and jump.

“I was a sprinter and long jumper who was local Highland games champion in Cupar for at least six times in the 1950s and 60s before I was conscripted,” he said.

“I was the RAF decathlon champion in 1960, however as I had competed as a professional at the Highland games, I could not represent Scotland or go to the Olympics in 1964.

“I was recorded with the longest Scottish long jump in 1963 and whilst in the RAF in Cyprus in 1965 I was recorded at 9.4 seconds for the then 100 yards.”

Mr Robb said the “big mistake” happened when he was persuaded as a teenager to run at the Cupar Highland Games in the 1950s after sweeping the board at Boys’ Brigade camp.

He said: “My friends encouraged me to run as we had just returned home.

“I found out later it was a big mistake as I was then classed as professional with no chance in those days of reinstatement.

“When I was in the RAF I was competing in station sports and inter-command competitions and was doing OK but not winning much until I started to adopt a training regime.

“I was an airframe fitter at the time and not allowed to change trades, but in 1960 I was on the way to run for the RAF in Spain and the day before we competed in the first day of the decathlon championship as training.

“They didn’t take me to Spain as I was in about fourth position after day one with a chance of a bronze medal on what was my first trip ever abroad.

“The number one and two British decathletes were in the field and I won it and I still have the medal.

“So much has changed – my biggest wish was for a Scottish vest as I was competing against Scottish international athletes who couldn’t understand that I could best them, but never went to the Scottish Championships.”

I was the RAF decathlon champion in 1960, however as Ihad competed as a professional at the Highland games, I could not represent Scotland or go to the Olympics in 1964 JAMES ROBB

Picture: George McLuskie. Ex-Scottish record holder James Robb with one of his athletics medals.