It had to be Hoy

Published on Monday 15 December 2008 00:27

"IT HAS to be Hoy" was The Scotsman's mantra for much of last week and, in the end, our desire to see Chris Hoy crowned as the 2008 BBC Sports Personality of the Year was fulfilled.

However, even though we championed the track cyclist's cause, it was the man from Edinburgh's achievements at this year's Olympics in Beijing that ensured his place in history.

Hoy became Scotland's most successful Olympian and the first Briton to win three medals in a single Olympic Games since Henry Taylor, in 1908.

At last night's star-studded event in Liverpool, the 32-year-old saw off Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton and fellow Olympic gold medal winner Rebecca Adlington to take the title and become the first Scot to be named BBC Sports Personality since Liz McColgan in 1991.

Indeed, Hoy has entered a select band of just four Scots to receive the award, the others being swimmer Ian Black in 1958 and racing driver Jackie Stewart in 1973.

Both Black and McColgan joined the likes of Alex Salmond, the First Minister, and rugby legend Gavin Hastings in the pages of The Scotsman in praise of Hoy, but the rider himself remained modest to the last, claiming he did not expect to win the award. But, Chris, we did, and we speak for all of Scotland when we express our pride in what you have achieved.