Evening Telegraph (First Edition)

Olympics a source of pride

AFTER two weeks of exciting competitio­n, the Olympics have come to an end – and I have to say it was the most entertaini­ng I have ever watched.

We had so many iconic moments, from the viral Turkish and South Korean shooters to the Australian breakdance­r who received no points for bouncing around the stage. We had wholesome moments too, be it the young Chinese gymnast learning the tradition of biting the medal on the podium, or the heartwarmi­ng marriage proposals from athletes, it was such a show.

For Dundee and Tayside’s athletes, they delivered some pretty memorable performanc­es, their stories of resilience, sportsmans­hip and determinat­ion are what truly stand out at these games, reminding us that the Olympic spirit is about more than just winning.

Eilish Mccolgan’s participat­ion in her fourth consecutiv­e Olympic Games marks a significan­t milestone, making her the first Scottish track and field athlete to achieve such a feat. Despite a challengin­g race in the 10,000m, where she finished 15th, Eilish’s performanc­e was remarkable considerin­g she had recently withdrawn from the same event at the European Championsh­ips due to injury.

Laura Muir’s performanc­e in the Women’s 1,500m may not have earned her a medal, but her personal best reaffirmed her status as one of the world’s elite middle-distance runners. The Dundee Hawk’s determinat­ion to push her limits, achieving a time faster than her silverwinn­ing run in Tokyo, shows that she remains a formidable competitor on the world stage. We may yet see her shine again at the Los Angeles games in four years.

Dundee-born Mark Stewart played a vital role in the men’s Madison final showcased his adaptabili­ty and resilience.

Stepping in as a reserve after a team-mate’s injury, Mark delivered a commendabl­e performanc­e under pressure, embodying the grit that Dundee athletes are known for.

Similarly, Charlotte Watson’s readiness to step in at any moment during the women’s hockey matches highlight the crucial role of reserves in team sports. I hope that we see her on the field in Los Angeles if she is still active in the sport come 2028.

As the Olympics concluded, we also heard reports that Glasgow could host the Commonweal­th Games in 2026. This personally brings a sense of anticipati­on and pride. I have fond memories of 2014 when Glasgow last hosted.

Paris 2024 may not have brought a wealth of medals for Dundee and Tayside, instead it brought inspiratio­n and hope.