Games heroes return home

SCOTLAND’S Commonwealth Games stars were welcomed home yesterday after setting a new overseas medal record.

Friends and families gathered at Glasgow Airport to greet athletes and support staff who were piped into the arrival area after weeks in Australia at the Gold Coast Games. Scotland won a total of 44 medals, behind the 53 won on home soil at Glasgow 2014 but the best return at an overseas Games.

Among those with extra luggage on their return was swimmer Duncan Scott, 20, who won six medals in the pool, becoming Scotland’s most decorated athlete at a single Games. He said: “The night before I swim I turn off all social media and then after I finish competing it’s a day or two before I turn it on, so I’ve gradually been seeing all the messages come in and all the hype. It will just be the same, I have an exam in three weeks so it will be back to my usual life – there’s nothing else to do.”

Diver James Heatly followed in the footsteps of his grandfather by winning a gold medal in the men’s 1m springboard and is looking forward to celebrating with family.

He said: “It’s nice to be back after that long flight and to come back with this [medal] is incredible. I can’t put it into words and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone now I’m back.”