South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle has been celebrating the success of Scotland’s athletes at the Tokyo Olympic & Paralympic Games at Holyrood.
Brian is himself a former Olympic athlete having raced at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. The Scottish Conservative MSP spoke with pride of the achievements of the many Scots athletes who contributed to Team GB & Northern Ireland’s record equalling total of 65 medals in the Olympics and 124 medals in the Paralympics.
He also highlighted the importance of the various UK and Scottish sports bodies like sportscotland, Scottish Disability Sport and UK Sport, who fund athletes training and facilities, often with support from the National Lottery.
Brian, who has long campaigned to widen access to sport, argued that its benefits go well beyond physical and mental health, particularly for young people. Sport is widely recognised to also help build resilience, reduce loneliness and improve social skills.
Brian Whittle MSP said: “I know first-hand just how much hard work and dedication goes into becoming an Olympic athlete. To participate in the Games, never mind winning a medal, is a tremendous achievement and everyone who gets there deserves to be recognised.
The success of Scotland’s athletes at the Games is in no small part down to the combined efforts of individuals and organisations across the UK. From national funding bodies to coaches and teammates.
Each successive generation of Olympians helps to inspire the next generation of young people to get stuck into sport. And while most will simply play for the enjoyment of it, there are those who have the potential to be Scotland’s next great Olympian. That’s why it’s so vital that we give sport the funding it deserves and protect the local sports facilities and pitches that are the starting point of every athlete’s career.”
