COMMONWEALTH YOUTH GAMES SPECIAL EDITION OCTOBER 2008 Congratulating the team, Michael Cavanagh, Chairman Bravehearts bound for Pune of CGS said: “l am confident that we have In August, in the shadow of the Wallace Monument in Stirling, Commonwealth selected an outstanding Games Scotland (CGS) announced the 44 athletes selected to represent Scotland Youth Games Team to compete in Pune, at the third Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India 12-18 October 2008. with the standards Michael Cavanagh continuing to rise with Pune 2008 is the first As a result of the global expansion of the every Games cycle. Youth Games to which Games, each country has been allocated all 71 Commonwealth a fixed number of places and qualification “Whilst winning medals is important, the countries have been standards were set accordingly. In a major benefit of the Commonwealth Youth invited to take part number of sports more Scottish athletes Games is exposing young athletes to with 351 medals to met the standards than there were places this level of competition in a multi-sport be won. Scotland available. This is an encouraging sign of environment. It is the ideal preparation will compete in athletes rising to the challenge of meeting event for the Commonwealth Games in eight sports with increasingly tough standards. Delhi in 2010 and Glasgow in 2014. the following number of athletes in each: Based on previous Youth Games results, “I wish them every success and look forward to cheering them on in Pune.” Athletics 10 it is anticipated that many of the Scottish Badminton 4 athletes, all of whom are 18 years of age Boxing 6 or under, who win medals in Pune will Shooting 5 go on to compete for Scotland at the Swimming 10 Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010 Table tennis 2 and Glasgow 2014, when they should be at Weightlifting 3 their competitive peak. Wrestling 4. THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES SCOTLAND NEWSLETTER Team get set for Pune With their places now confirmed it was time for athletes to focus on final preparations for their biggest sporting competition to date. They all gathered in Stirling in September to get a final briefing, which included medical and anti doping education sessions and a media skills presentation. The highlight for many was collecting their Commonwealth Youth Games kit, a symbol of the first time they will represent Scotland in a multi- sport Games and hopefully a taste of things to come. Amongst the team members keen to collect their kit were some familiar names with strong links to Commonwealth Games success. The McColgan dynasty lives on, with daughter Eilish qualified for the 1500m, whilst Lynsey Sharp, daughter of Commonwealth Games gold medallist and representative Cameron and Carol Sharp will compete in the 800m. In smallbore shooting, Jennifer McIntosh is the daughter of multiple Commonwealth Games medallist Shirley and father Donald a representative in two Games. Lynsey Sharp, Eilish McColgan and Jennifer McIntosh show off their team kit Commonwealth Youth Games Scotland – Pune 2008 – our track record A team of 44 athletes from 8 sports will represent Scotland in the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games. Scotland hosted the inaugural Commonwealth Youth Numbers were set by the Games organisers and is 24 Games in Edinburgh in 2000. Australia hosted the fewer than in Bendigo. second Youth Games in Bendigo in 2004. All athletes competing are 18 years of age or under In 2000 the Scottish Team won 32 medals including and will be targeting the 2014 Commonwealth Games 3 gold to finish sixth on the medal table, with 10 in the future. countries taking part. To be selected for the Scottish team, athletes had In 2004 the Scottish Team won 52 medals including to be an equivalent of top two in Great Britain and in 12 gold to finish fourth on the medal table, with 12 most cases better the medal standard from the last countries taking part. Youth Games in 2004. In 2004 swimming was the most successful sport The Pune Games will be a new competition winning 7 gold, 10 silver and 13 bronze medals. All environment for all the Team and give a taste of 14 members of the swimming team won at least one the cultural, climatic and competitive conditions medal. associated with competing in India for those who qualify for the next Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 12 athletes who competed in Bendigo went 2010. on to compete at the Commonwealth Games in Transported by Emirates Airlines, each team member Melbourne, three of them, will have a luggage allowance of up to 35kg including Andrew Hunter, Robbie specialist sports equipment totaling a massive 2135kg. Renwick (swimming), and Pole vaults will be the most challenging items to Adam Cox (gymnastics) won transport. medals. In addition Kirsty Balfour and Todd Cooper who won medals in swimming at the 2000 Youth Games also won medals in 2006. Keep up to date with the action in Pune at www.cygpune2008.com and www.cgcs.org.uk 2 Steve Reid, Retail Director of Cheering on the team Clydesdale Bank Clydesdale Bank Stewart Maxwell The Scottish Government, through is proud to be a MSP, Minister for sportscotland, is proud to support long term partner Scotland’s athletes and sports governing of Scottish sport. Communities and bodies by providing financial and As well as sponsoring the Scottish Sport, Scottish technical assistance to help our athletes Commonwealth Games Team for the Government and coaches perform at the highest level. 2006 Games in Melbourne and the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, the Bank As Minister for Commonwealth Games Scotland have is also supporting the 2008 Scottish Communities and been extremely busy in their preparations Commonwealth Youth Games team. Sport, I would like to extend my for these Games to ensure that Scotland congratulations to the team members is among the best prepared teams to We recognise the dedication and and officials on their selection for the 3rd meet the challenge of representing their commitment of these athletes and Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune. country and performing to their best in their significant achievement in being India. selected. We are proud to support the As young athletes you have team in their endeavours and everyone at demonstrated outstanding effort I hope you enjoy the spirit of the Clydesdale Bank wishes them all the best and dedication in pursuit of personal Commonwealth Youth Games and come for the Games. excellence to get to this stage and I have away from Pune with good performances, no doubt that competing in these Games lasting memories and friendships that will provide you with a valuable entrée will last a lifetime. into international competition. I would like to offer my best wishes With the Commonwealth Games in to all those participating in the 3rd Delhi only two years away and the 2014 Commonwealth Youth Games. Good luck Commonwealth Games in Glasgow to to all competitors and I look forward to Emirates is delighted to be the official look forward to, the Commonwealth being there personally to cheer you on. airline for the Scottish Commonwealth Youth Games is an exciting concept and Youth Games Team travelling to Pune in provides the ideal platform for competing With every good wish for your success. India this October. at future events. Leis gach deagh dhùrachd airson ur soirbheachail. Everyone at Emirates would like to take this opportunity to wish all of the team the best of luck at the Games. Adam Cox: Going to Bendgio in 2004 was a great experience, not only competing which gave me the confidence when going on to Melbourne to win a medal, Kirsty Balfour but making friends from other sports and countries that I have become very close with over the years. Take it all I had a great time competing in, enjoy yourselves and do your best. Nobody can ask for Scotland in the first ever more of you. Good luck!” Commonwealth Youth Games team in Edinburgh. It was a great experience and helped Louise Martin sportscotland has always believed in the me prepare for what CBE, Chair of important role that the Commonwealth Youth Games plays in a young athletes’ was to come in the sportscotland development, which is why we provided Commonwealth Lottery funding to support the inaugural Athletes, many Games in Games in Edinburgh in 2000 and Manchester and congratulations on why we continue to strongly support your selection for the Commonwealth Games Scotland at both Melbourne and 2008 Commonwealth youth and senior level. at the last two Youth Games Team. It is fantastic to Olympic Games. I see the length and breadth of Scotland The track record of the Youth Games wish all the team represented from Troon to Aberdeen to speak for themselves not only in terms The Isle of Islay. the very best of of medals won, but more importantly in luck. terms of the number of athletes that go The selection standards have been on to compete successfully at the senior rigorous and the places limited so Commonwealth Games and Olympic simply making the team itself is a great Games. Indeed I am sure you will have achievement. However I am confident been inspired by the achievements of that now you are on the team, you will fellow Scots in Beijing in recent weeks. rise to the challenge of performing at your very best. You will enjoy and benefit I wish you all the very best of luck in from the experience of competing at Pune and I hope that you can build on such a big event and contribute to your Youth Games experience to go on the tradition of a successful Scottish to compete and win medals for Scotland Commonwealth Youth Games Team.