207 Scots to march on Manchester

Tuesday 25 June 2002

The Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland (CGCS) announced today the 207 athletes (120 men and 87 women) selected for the Bank of Scotland Scottish Team to compete at the XVII Commonwealth Games in Manchester next month, 25 July - 4 August. This is an increase of 63 on the 1998 team size and reflects the increased number of sports in the Games, the inclusion of a number of multi-disability events as well as more people achieving the high standards set.

Included in the line-up are nine Commonwealth medallists from 1998: Joyce Lindores, Margaret Letham , Alison Sheppard, Elinor Middlemiss, Sandra Watt, Colin McNeil, Janis Thompson, David Rattray and Robin Law. They will all be hoping to repeat their medal winning form, this time a little closer to home and without the acclimatisation problems. Other familiar names include Olympic silver medallists in cycling, Chris Hoy and Craig MacLean, swimming Olympic medallist Graeme Smith, former judo world champion Graeme Randall and bowler Willie Wood who will be making a record seventh Commonwealth Games appearance.

"We have selected a strong team..."

By contrast new to the Games will be the sports of mountain biking, triathlon, table tennis, women's weightlifting and for Scotland, Rugby 7s, whilst Judo makes a welcome return to the programme after an absence of 12 years.

The selection policy published some 18 months ago set standards aimed at individual athletes making the final or top 10 and being in the top half of the field whichever was the tighter standard, and in team events making the top eight. There was also a commitment made that those achieving the standards set would go to the Games regardless of overall team numbers and this has been realised.

Commenting Louise Martin, Chairman, CGCS said: "I am delighted that we have reached the end of our selection process which has been rigorous and robust throughout. In particular I would like to thank the participating governing bodies of sport, which have worked closely with us to ensure that it has been successfully and fairly implemented.

"We have selected a strong team, with everyone who has met the selection criteria going to Manchester regardless of overall numbers. Our minimum target is to improve on our medal tally of 12 in KuaIa Lumpur and I am confident that this can be achieved given our thorough preparation and thanks to the support of our team sponsor Bank of Scotland, sportscotland and many others."

George Mitchell, Treasurer & Managing Director of Bank of Scotland, said: "We are proud and delighted to welcome these talented athletes to the Bank of Scotland Scottish Team. We are confident that this is a strong and competitive team, with athletes capable of success at the very highest level in their chosen sport. The Bank's sponsorship is focused directly on athlete preparation and development, with the aim of maximising the team's medal chances. As the countdown to Manchester continues, we wish each athlete every success and support them all the way."

Following feedback from the 1998 Games, the athletes will be supported by an increased team staff totalling 85, which again reflects the requirement for increased medical and sports science support including doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists and analysts.

Some 102 of the athletes selected are currently benefiting from financial support through sportscotland's Talented Athlete Programme and 66 have received support from the Scottish Institute of Sport either as core sports or individual athletes.

The main party of the Team will travel to Manchester on Monday 22 July on a specially chartered Virgin Train leaving from Glasgow.

FULL ATHLETE TEAM LIST

AQUATICS (21)

ATHLETICS (30)

BADMINTON (12)

BOXING (8)

CYCLING (19)

GYMNASTICS (8)

HOCKEY (16)

JUDO (14)

LAWN BOWLS (18)

RUGBY 7s (12 from 20 listed)

SHOOTING (24)

SQUASH (5)

TABLE TENNIS (5)

TRIATHLON (6)

WEIGHTLIFTING (3)

WRESTLING (6)

* A number of athletes still have to prove form or fitness by 9 July.

• The Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland (CGCS) is responsible for selecting and preparing the team representing Scotland at the Games and is financed through sponsorship and fundraising activities, and grant support from sportscotland. The total cost of preparing and taking a team to represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in 2002 is around £450,000.
• A copy of the overall team and individual sport selection policy is available from the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland.
• The Scottish Team won 3 gold, 2 silver and 7 bronze medals at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• Scotland has competed in every Games since the first British Empire Games in 1930 winning a total of 270 medals (65 gold, 79 silver, 126 bronze).
• 16 sports are taking part in Manchester: Athletics; Badminton; Bowls; Boxing; Cycling; Gymnastics; Hockey (women's); Judo; Rugby 7s; Shooting; Squash; Swimming; Table Tennis; Triathlon; Weightlifting; and Wrestling.
• The 2002 Commonwealth Games are being held in Manchester 25 July - 4 August.
• In December 2000 Bank of Scotland announced its second time sponsorship of the Bank of Scotland Scottish Team for the Commonwealth Games. The Bank's sponsorship specifically funds team preparation to help improve our athletes' medal chances.