Record number of Scots Olympians

A record number of Scottish athletes have travelled to Brazil to compete in the Rio Olympics.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has sent a message of support to Team GB and to the 53 Scottish Olympians selected.

This includes tennis player Andy Murray who has also been selected as the Team GB flag bearer, and rowers Katherine Grainger and Heather Stanning, who all brought home gold at the last Olympics in London in 2012 and will be defending their titles in Rio.

The total, which includes five reserve athletes, is the highest number ever to be selected for an away games, beating the previous record for the 2008 Beijing Games of 31.

The First Minister said:

“There is no higher honour than competing on a global stage and I am delighted that so many Scottish athletes will be performing in Rio.

“The Olympics is one of the highest profile sporting events in the world, and is a tremendous opportunity to compete against the best sportsmen and women in the world.

“I will be cheering on all of them throughout the games and I hope that the hard work and dedication these athletes have put in will pay off.

“I wish all 53 of Scotland’s Olympians, and all of Team GB, the very best of luck.”