The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Hopes for a Rio effect on Highland games
Highland games chiefs hope Olympics will have spin-off benefits for Scottish contests
Highland games chiefs hope the traditional spectacle will reap the benefit of Great Britain’s Rio Olympics goldrush.
As the history-making contingent touched back down on home soil, the head of Scotland’s Highland games governing body reserved special praise for Scots in the current crop of Olympians who have competed on the cycling and running tracks of gatherings across the country and said he hopes this summer will act as an inspiration for a generation of future stars.
Forfar’s Charlie Murray, the president of the Scottish Highland Games Association which oversees 60 of the 80 games held across Scotland each year, is hopeful the South American success will encourage people to go to the summer’s remaining events to witness feats of sporting skill, and perhaps try their hand in competition.
Scottish Olympians Laura Muir, Chris O’Hare and Katie Archibald have all competed at Highland games.
Mr Murray, who is also chairman of the Strathmore Highland Games held annually in the grounds of Glamis Castle, said: “Team GB has once again put in a fantastic performance at the Olympic Games.
“Their exploits in Rio will be inspiring people right across Scotland, as we saw following the London Olympics in 2012 and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
“The achievements of the athletes will spark interest from people of all ages, either to participate in competitive sport or experience it up close, and Highland games provide an excellent platform to enable the public to do this.”
He continued: “The range of sporting disciplines covered by Highland games make them a superb environment for people to get into competitive sport.”
He added: “If people want to get involved, the best advice is to speak to some of the athletes, judges or organisers at Highland games and find out how they got involved, they’ll all be very willing to offer some guidance.”
Strathmore Games organisers are also leading the way with a drive to build interest from the grassroots through a mini Highland games initiative for primary school pupils.
This summer’s event on the eve of the main gathering involved more than 300 Angus youngsters and the ultimate aim is to put mini Highland games kits into Scottish schools to allow them to stage their own competitions.
VisitScotland chief executive Malcolm Roughead said: “Thanks to the outstanding performance of Team GB this summer in Rio, more people than ever before will be motivated to experience the exciting Highland games taking place near them which include Olympic inspiring events such as the hammer throw and shot-put.”