Highland Games chiefs hope the traditional spectacle will reap the benefit of Great Britain’s Rio Olympics goldrush.
With the history-making contingent back on home soil, the head of Scotland’s highland games governing body reserved special praise for Scots in the current crop of Olympians who have competed on the cycling and running tracks of gatherings across the country and said he hopes the summer of 2016 will act as an inspiration for a generation of future stars.
Forfar’s Charlie Murray, the president of the Scottish Highland Games Association which oversees 60 of the 80 games that are held across Scotland each year, is hopeful the South American success will encourage people to go to the summer’s remaining events to witness feats of sporting skill, and perhaps try their hand in competition.
Scottish Olympians Laura Muir, Chris O’Hare and Katie Archibald have all competed at highland games in the past.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFO1bLD5Sh0
Mr Murray, who is also chairman of the Strathmore Highland Games held annually in the grounds of Glamis Castle said: “Team GB has once again put in a fantastic performance at the Olympic Games. Their exploits in Rio will be inspiring people right across Scotland, as we saw following the London Olympics in 2012 and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
“The achievements of the athletes will spark interest from people of all ages, either to participate in competitive sport or experience it up close, and highland games provide an excellent platform to enable the public to do this.
“The calibre of athletes at these events is very high. Those who enjoy watching athletics will appreciate the atmosphere that is created round a highland games arena due to the variety of the events taking place.
“The range of sporting disciplines covered by highland games make them a superb environment for people to get into competitive sport.
“There is a real sense of friendship and camaraderie at highland games, with athletes willing to help one another improve their performances.
“If people want to get involved, the best advice is to speak to some of the athletes, judges or organisers at highland games and find out how they got involved, they’ll all be very willing to offer some guidance.”
Strathmore Games organisers are also leading the way with a drive to build interest from the grass roots through a mini highland games initiative for primary school pupils.
This summer’s event on the eve of the main gathering involved over 300 Angus youngsters and the ultimate aim is to put mini highland games kits into Scottish schools to allow them to stage their own competitions.
Mr Murray added: “Runners, cyclists and light and heavy athletes competing in highland games affiliated to the SHGA must be registered with the organisation.”
Like their elite counterparts, highland games athletes are subject to UK Doping-run random drug tests.
“The aim is create an environment in which athletes know they can compete in the true spirit of sport,” said Mr Murray.
Ten SHGA affiliated highland games will be held in the coming weeks, including Pitlochry, before the season comes to a close on Saturday September 17 at Invercarron, near Bonar Bridge.
Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of VisitScotland said: “Thanks to the outstanding performance of Team GB this summer in Rio, more people than ever before will be motivated to experience the exciting highland games taking place near them which include Olympic inspiring events such as the hammer throw and shot-put.
“Events such as highland games don’t just provide great entertainment – they also represent a multi-million pound benefit to Scotland – both urban and rural.”
