The Great Anthem Debate Begins
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countdwn COMMONWEALTH GAMES SCOTLAND NEWSLETTER ISSUE 12 – WINTER 2009/10 Chairman’s view The year between an Olympic and Commonwealth Games is often a quiet one for sport, however 2009 has proved to be extremely busy. Preparations for the 2010 Games are well underway and our input into Glasgow 2014 as an organising committee partner continues apace. Jon Doig and his team at CGS have made significant inroads into the planning for next year’s Games and we are determined to ensure that yet again our team will travel to the Games confident Katherine Grainger wins the Emirates Londsdale Trophy, presented by Denise Holmes, Emirates and Michael Cavanagh that they are the best prepared team ever. The great anthem debate begins... There is no doubt that Delhi will prove to be a challenging environment to There was much excitement in the build-up to this year’s Commonwealth operate in, with very few athletes having Games Scotland (CGS) Awards Dinner on 14 November, with the launch of the experienced training and competition in great Team Scotland anthem debate. The dinner was held in association with this part of the world before. However Clydesdale Bank. I am confident that we are putting the necessary plans in place to create an environment, which will give our Extensive media coverage talked of ‘X nationally recognised and endorsed athletes every opportunity to excel at factor’ style voting and even the football through our Parliament and one that the the Games. programmes on BBC Radio Scotland got whole of Scotland can unite behind on involved in the discussions. However it what will be a fabulous and memorable For the first time, our team in Delhi will was through a vote at the Dinner, that occasion for all Scots.” be known as Team Scotland, following guests were able to influence which tune a review of our organisational role will be played, when athletes representing Steve Reid, Director of Retail Banking, and a re-branding exercise to give Team Scotland stand on top of the medal Clydesdale Bank said: “We are proud us an exciting new look and focus. I podium in Delhi next year. to be supporting the Commonwealth firmly believe that this will enable us Games Awards Dinner, Team Scotland and to capitalise on the unique position With no official Scottish national anthem, Scottish sport.” of Commonwealth Games as the only it is up to individual sports to select multi-sport event where Scotland the anthem which best reflects their Another highlight of the evening was when competes in its own right and where we sporting endeavours. Up until 1958, one of Scotland’s greatest ever female proudly boast as our unique selling point Burns’ ‘Scots Wha Hae’ was used to mark Olympians, rower Katherine Grainger ‘17 sports, one team’. Commonwealth Games success and since MBE, was named as 2008/09 Scottish then ‘Scotland the Brave’ has been the Sportsperson of the Year and awarded I very much hope you will back Team preferred anthem. the Emirates Lonsdale Trophy. She is Scotland in Delhi 2010 in whatever your the first woman to win the title. In 2009 capacity as an athlete, a parent, coach, From the short list of four options played Katherine switched from the quadruple member sport, sponsor or supporter. We at the dinner, ‘Scotland the Brave’ was the sculls, in which she won a silver medal at firmly believe our strength comes from overwhelming favourite and along with the Beijing Olympic Games, to the single our ability as a team to draw people ‘Flower of Scotland’ will be presented to sculls. Her outstanding performance of together and get the best out of our prospective team members at their camp 2009 was winning a silver medal at the shared pride in January to make the final decision. World Championships after less than and passion a season racing in her new event and for sport CGS Chair Michael Cavanagh commented: followed a win in an earlier World Cup. and Scottish “This has been a great debate with success on the phenomenal interest by the Scottish In second place was Andy Murray and world stage. public. Hopefully, by the time we reach the gymnast Daniel Keatings was third. 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow Games on! there will be an official anthem that is Continues overleaf... Continued from page 1 Presenting the award Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “It is fantastic to see that in a traditionally quiet year between Olympic and Commonwealth Games that there are so many outstanding Scottish performances to choose from and many congratulations to all our nominees. “However, Katherine’s determination to strive for Olympic gold in yet another discipline of her sport, despite having three silver medals in consecutive Olympics, is a credit to her absolute commitment to be the very best. The fact that she got onto the World Championship podium in her first season in the single sculls is quite incredible. She is a great ambassador, an outstanding female role model and a truly worthy winner of the Emirates Lonsdale Trophy.” Congratulating the winners, Conrad Scotland celebrates the Queen’s Clifford, Emirates’ Vice-President, UK & Ireland, said: “Emirates is very pleased to continue its support of The Lonsdale Trophy, and we would like Baton Relay Delhi 2010 to offer our warmest congratulations to Katherine on being awarded In London on 29 October, the official launch of the Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 ‘Scottish Sportsperson of the Year’. Delhi took place within the historic Forecourt at Buckingham Palace. Her As official partner of the Scottish Commonwealth Games Team, we Majesty Queen Elizabeth II heralded the start of the relay, by placing her are honoured to be associated ‘message to the athletes’ into the uniquely Indian styled baton which then set with an event that acknowledges off on its 240 day journey around the globe, before embarking upon a 100 day the achievements of elite Scottish national tour of India. athletes like Katherine, Andy and Daniel on this global stage.” The relay will particularly conclude at the enjoyed the Also recognised Games Opening gathering of were five Ceremony on 3 our past team winners of October, when members, known Scottish the final runner will hand the baton back as the Thistle Club. Many thanks to the Sports Aid to Her Majesty, to retrieve the message Lord Provost of Glasgow for hosting us at Merit Awards, and read it aloud, officially opening the the City Chambers.” for athletes Games. under 18. These The people of Glasgow gave the Baton a were made The Baton arrived in Scotland on Sunday warm welcome and were excited about to: Andrew 29 November for the eighth leg of its the prospect of their own Queen’s Baton Ward – Field Sarah Kelly marathon journey. Over the two days Relay arriving in Glasgow in 2014, marking Archery; Will Glasgow, Paisley, Falkirk, Edinburgh and the start Scotland’s Games. On its journey Johnston – Triathlon; Sarah Kelly – a number of Games partners through the central belt the Athletics; Lisa McKenzie – Fencing including Cydesdale Bank all Baton joined in St Andrew’s Day and Kirsty Gilmour – Badminton. held an outstanding range of celebrations in Paisley and visited Ronnie Sloan, Acting Chairman of events and celebrations turning the unique Falkirk Wheel. Its the Scottish Sports Aid went on the spotlight on Scotland’s journey concluded in Edinburgh to present the Scottish Sports Aid participation in the Delhi Games with a trip down the Royal Mile Junior Sportsperson of the Year next year. Our thanks go to and a visit to the Indian High 2008/9 to Sarah Kelly. Sarah won six all of them for their terrific Commission where Scotland’s titles including the AAA U17 800m support and also to the athletes First Minister Alex Salmond met Champion. who took part. the Baton with Indian Consul General Mr. Anil Kumar Anand. Bringing the celebrations to a finale Welcoming the arrival of the was the announcement that Sir Peter Baton north of the border, CGS From Scotland the Baton Heatly was to become the new Patron Chairman, Michael Cavanagh continued on to Cyprus on the of Commonwealth Games Scotland. said: “The visit of the Queen’s next leg of its journey around the Baton Relay to Scotland brings 70 nations and territories of the the Games a step closer. We Commonwealth. 2 Mark Dry Kirsty Gilmour Hannah Miley the national U17 and U19 women’s singles Clydesdale Bank Athlete of the Month titles. In August she won the women’s U17 singles title at the Langenfeld Junior Awards make a welcome return tournament and in September she went on to win the UK Schools Games singles As part of their support to Team Scotland for Delhi 2010, Clydesdale Bank title against the best in Britain. Her has resumed its highly acclaimed Athlete of the Month Awards. first taste of a multi-sport Games was a positive one, and will be a good experience Between October 2009 and August time is now 16.62 seconds faster than her should Kirsty find herself in Delhi next 2010 up to 15 athletes who demonstrate final swim in Melbourne. October. “It would a great opportunity to outstanding performances during the go to Delhi and get some experience which build-up to the Commonwealth Games With qualification times already posted would stand me in good stead for Glasgow will be recognised with an award of £500 in seven events, Hannah has her sights 2014 where I would love to get a medal.” towards training and competition costs. firmly set on coming of age in Delhi less than two months after what will be her Given Kirsty’s family connections with October 21st birthday.