Going For Gold
Eight Scottish athletes to keep your eye on at the Tokyo Olympics this summer
We profile eight other Scots taking part in the Olympic Games this summer
Callum Hawkins Marathon
The first British male to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 marathon, Callum Hawkins, from Renfrewshire, holds the all-time Scottish record in the Olympic marathon. Both Callum and his brother Derek competed in Rio and are trained by their dad, Robert, a former marathon runner. Callum, now 28, crossed the finish line in ninth place in Rio, completing the track in 2:11:52 – a time he has since bettered twice, in the 2017 and 2019 World Championships. As one of the very best marathon runners in the UK, he has a great chance of posting another impressive time.
Bradley Forbes-cryans Canoeing
A world champion back in 2018, Edinburgh’s Bradley Forbes-cryans is representing Team GB in the K1 slalom event. This summer’s games in Tokyo mark Bradley’s Olympic debut, though he has competed at international level since 2012 – winning medals at the World Championship, European Championship, U23 World Championship and World Cup. The 26-year-old is coached by Olympic silver medallist Richard Hounslow, so he is in very experienced hands going into the games. Following in Richard’s footsteps will no doubt be Bradley’s goal in Japan as he takes to Olympic waters for the very first time.
Kathleen Dawson Swimming
Kirkcaldy-born Kathleen Dawson is one of Scottish swimming’s brightest young stars. Part of the University of Stirling swim team, she is one of four Scots swimmers heading to Tokyo, along with Duncan Scott, Ross Murdoch and Cassie Wild. Kathleen came fifth at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014 and won gold in the women’s 4 x 100m medley relay at the 2016 European Championships. The 23-year-old just missed out on a place in the Rio 2016 squad, and she’s back with a splash this summer.
Kim Little Football
Midfielder Kim Little, 30, is captain of the Arsenal women’s team, and Scotland vice-captain. This will be Kim’s second Olympics, having represented Team GB at London 2012 – they reached the quarter-final before being beaten 2-0 by Canada. Kim, from Mintlaw in Aberdeenshire, was named the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2016, and has won the FA Cup three times and the top English division five times. A gold medal would be the perfect addition to her trophy cabinet.
Luke Patience Sailing
Aberdonian sailor Luke Patience is making his third Olympic appearance in Tokyo, and will be hoping to repeat – or better – his silver medal at London 2012. Luke, 34, will be taking part in the men’s 470 class, where he once again teams up with Englishman Chris Grube, who joined him in Rio five years ago. Luke was picked for Team GB back in October 2019, so he’s been waiting more than a year to make his bow in Tokyo – and they do say that good things come to those who wait.
Charlotte Watson Hockey
Charlotte Watson will join the women’s field hockey team at the Olympics. Charlotte, from Dundee, represents Loughborough Students at club level and has made nine appearances for the Great Britain team, as well as
67 for Scotland. Helping Scotland to win 2019 Eurohockey event in Glasgow by scoring the winning goal, the 23-year-old is one of Scotland’s biggest hockey talents.
Sir Andy Murray Tennis
A man who needs no introduction, Sir Andy Murray is the only tennis player to win back-to-back Olympics singles titles, becoming champion at both London 2012 and Rio 2016. Thanks to his London gold medal, Sir Andy, 33, became the first British Olympic men’s tennis champion since Major Ritchie in 1908. Tokyo will likely be his last Olympics – can the Dunblane boy add a third Olympic gold to his groaning trophy cabinet?
Seonaid Mcintosh Shooting
Tokyo may be Seonaid Mcintosh’s Olympic debut, but she’s hardly a novice. Seonaid, from Edinburgh, is the daughter of international Scottish shooters Donald and Shirley Mcintosh. Seonaid will go into Tokyo 2020 as the first British woman to be world number one in the 50m rifle three-positions event. The 25-year-old won gold at the World Cup, European Championship, Commonwealth Games and World Championships, so Tokyo will be the first of many Olympics for her.