Olympic hero Hoy set to receive top honour

Published on Friday 5 September 2008 09:54

OLYMPIC hero Chris Hoy is in line to receive one of Edinburgh's most illustrious awards.

The cyclist, who became the first British person in 100 years to win three gold medals at a single Games, would become only the third winner of the annual Edinburgh Award after Ian Rankin and JK Rowling.

The special trophy is presented to people who have brought honour to the city, through outstanding achievement or by being a "world-influencer".

City leader Jenny Dawe, who sits on the judging panel, today said Hoy would be a fitting recipient of the award. Other members of the panel also lent their support to the suggestion.

Nominations will open for next year's award in the coming months, and Hoy is certain to be put forward by members of the public.

If he won, Scotland's most successful Olympic athlete would be immortalised in a new Hollywood-style walk of fame in the quadrangle outside the City Chambers, where he would leave his handprints.

Crime author Ian Rankin was the first winner of the Edinburgh Award, and Harry Potter writer JK Rowling is set to receive the honour later this month.

Councillor Dawe said today: "I think Chris Hoy would be a very fitting recipient of the Edinburgh Award. Nobody can doubt that his sporting achievements have brought honour to his city of birth."

Cllr Dawe said a report will shortly come before councillors, outlining other ways to recognise his achievements.

The city already has the Chris Hoy Trophy – an annual award for the most promising young track cyclist in the Capital – but the Lib Dem leader said the Freedom of the City would not be the correct tribute, despite reports that Manchester, where Hoy trains, is preparing to bestow a similar honour on the cyclist.

There are currently only five living recipients of the Freedom of the City – the council's most prestigious honour. They are the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Sir Sean Connery, Nelson Mandela and Burmese pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi.

Cllr Dawe said: "The Freedom of the City should be for lifetime achievement."

Hoy's father, David, said he thought his son would be "delighted" to receive the Edinburgh Award.

"He's a proud Scot and he's even more proud to have been based in Edinburgh," he said. "His home is still here."

The judging panel for the award consists of political group leaders, and business and voluntary sector representatives.