The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Scots finish with 13 medals
Sportscotland chief hails efforts of Scottish athletes on Team GB
Eilidh Doyle won the 13th medal for the Scots on Team GB at the Rio Olympics by taking bronze in the 4x400m relay to match the medal tally from London 2012.
Speaking from the Olympic Stadium where he watched the race unfold, sportscotland’s director of high performance Mike Whittingham hailed the achievements of Eilidh and her team mates.
Whittingham, speaking before the final day of action, said: “What a fantastic night for Team GB. With that 4x400m medal, Team GB has won 66 medals, surpassing the 65 won in London in 2012.
“That means that Team GB has become the first nation to win more Olympic medals at the Games after a home Games.
“And for the Scots on Team GB, the medal tally is now an incredible 13, equalling the haul from London and making this our best ever away Games.
“It was a gutsy run from Eilidh Doyle and her team-mates Anyika Onuora, Emily Diamond and Christine Ohuruogu to take that significant bronze medal, and I hope they realise that they have created a piece of history here tonight.
“Eilidh gave the team the best possible start and demonstrated once again what an asset she is in this event. I am absolutely delighted that she has an Olympic medal for her efforts.
“This has been a great night for the Scots on Team GB with Scottish records for both Lynsey Sharp in the 800m, and Andrew Butchart, who just missed out on the medals in a hard-fought 5,000m where Mo Farah won his ‘double double’.
“A record 15 Scots qualified for Team GB in athletics, a significant number and testament to the strength of the system here in Scotland, and across the UK.
“Scottish Athletics, British Athletics and all of the coaches and support staff, including my own team at the sportscotland institute of sport, have worked so hard to prepare these athletes to perform on the world stage, and it’s terrific to see that hard work paying off.”
The final day saw Scot Callum Hawkins finish ninth in the men’s marathon won by Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge.
Team GB’s Hawkins led the race at the midway point but fell back in a time of 2:11.52, while the Scot’s brother, Derek, finished 114th in 2:29.24. Fellow Briton Tsegai Tewelde failed to finish.
Peebles’ Grant Ferguson finished 17th in the cross-country mountain bike race as Switzerland’s Nino Schurter claimed gold.