Commonwealth Day celebrations for Scottish Sports Hall of Fame
The 12th of March celebrates Commonwealth Day and is a fitting occasion to welcome a further eight inductees into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame at the National Museum of Scotland, including three Commonwealth Games greats.
Launched in 2002, the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame has been developed through a unique partnership between sportscotland and National Museums Scotland. The latest Scottish sporting heroes to be inducted today by Sports Minister Patricia Ferguson MSP are: George Cornet, water polo; William Kinnear, rowing; Bill Anderson MBE, Highland Games; Willie Wood MBE, bowls; Lachie Stewart, athletics; Rose Reilly, women's football; Ally McCoist MBE, football and Yvonne Murray-Mooney MBE, athletics.
Ms Ferguson commented: "These new inductees will provide a welcome addition to an impressive legacy which already features some of Scotland's most pre-eminent sporting stars.
"The achievements they have made during their successful and varied careers stand as testimonies to their talents and ambitions, and provide inspiration for the next generation of sportsmen and women. We not only strive to encourage and support sporting excellence, we are also focused on building greater participation in sport and physical activity as a means of improving health, self-confidence and quality of life."
With Glasgow's Bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games building up to a decision this autumn, it is significant that three of Scotland's greatest Commonwealth Games representatives join the Hall of Fame today. The Games have been responsible for some of Scotland's greatest sporting moments and to date 17 Commonwealth Games athletes have been inducted.
Bowler, Willie Wood is the most capped Scottish Commonwealth Games athlete ever, having competed in seven Games and winning bronze, silver and two gold medals between 1974 and 1990. Ironically, the only Games he missed in an otherwise unbroken run was Edinburgh in 1986.
However, Lachie Stewart is a man who knows what it's like to win on home soil. A gutsy victory in the 10,000 metres final at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh ranks as one of the most memorable moments in Scottish sport. Cheered on by a passionate home crowd, Stewart out-sprinted the multiple world record holder and overwhelming favourite, Australian Ron Clarke, to win gold on the first day of the Games taking more than 20 seconds off his previous best.
Fellow long distance runner Yvonne Murray-Mooney also enjoyed similar home advantage at the 1986 Edinburgh Games, when she won the first of three Commonwealth Games medals, taking bronze in the 3,000 metres. She went on to collect a full set, winning silver in the 3,000 metres in 1990, and finally gold at 10,000 metres four years later, in Victoria, Canada.
Legendary Scottish striker Ally McCoist is also recognised today. Rangers' all time top goal scorer, notching up 355 goals in 581 matches, McCoist is also Scotland's second highest ever scorer with 19 goals in 61 matches.
2007 is a year of firsts for the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame. The sports of bowls, Highland Games, rowing and water polo have all had representatives inducted for the first time, whilst Rose Reilly is the first woman footballer to be recognised. This is also the first induction ceremony since the Hall of Fame opened at the National Museum of Scotland in its Sporting Scotland gallery last summer.
Dr Gordon Rintoul, Director of National Museums Scotland, said: "It is exciting to welcome eight new inductees into the Sports Hall of Fame. The gallery has been a popular new addition to the Museum over the past six months and these new sporting greats will only add to the gallery's appeal."
Sports Halls of Fame are an internationally recognised way of acknowledging past performers, promoting excellence in sport and instilling sport as a key part of a nation's culture. By providing a public record of Scotland's greatest sports men and women, the Hall aims to inspire younger generations and promote a culture of Scots recognising and celebrating Scottish success across a range of sports.
Congratulating the 2007 inductees, Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair, sportscotland, said: "I am delighted to be here today as we induct a further eight Scottish sporting legends into the Sports Hall of Fame.
"I am sure the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame will be a significant attraction to Scots and visitors alike, providing an opportunity to celebrate some of the world's greatest sporting achievements and giving inspiration particularly to our young people, highlighting just what can be achieved through participation in sport."