Bus parade plan to hail Scots sporting heroes

SCOTLAND'S athletes are to be given an open-top bus parade through the streets of Edinburgh to celebrate their success at the Beijing Olympics, it was announced yesterday.

While British athletes will be invited to an open-top bus tour in London in October, City of Edinburgh Council is set to push through emergency plans for celebrations in the Scottish capital to honour Scotland's own Olympians.

Deidre Brock, Edinburgh city council's sports leader, put forward an emergency motion which will be discussed at a full meeting of the Council tomorrow.

She said: "We're looking forward to Chris Hoy's triumphant return to the city. He's a true local hero and an open-top bus parade to celebrate his and his fellow athletes' success would be fantastic.

"I think the people of Edinburgh would come out in force and line the city streets to celebrate that success so we're looking forward to speaking to Chris to see what he thinks. We'll also be in touch with sportscotland and Scottish Cycling to make plans."

Louise Martin CBE, chairwoman of sportscotland, the national sports agency said: "Sportscotland is extremely proud of all of Scotland's 32 representatives on Team GB. We are working with all partners to ensure homecoming celebrations for the athletes who have won medals so far recognise the magnitude of their sporting achievements and, in particular those of Chris Hoy, Scotland's greatest ever Olympian."

An Edinburgh city council spokeswoman said: "This is something we want to do to celebrate Scotland's achievements. We want to get the best route planned so that the maximum number of people can come and cheer on our athletes."

Plans are expected to be based on those of four years ago, when the parade went down Princes Street and finished at the City Chambers.

Scotland's other medal winners – Katherine Grainger who won silver in the quadruple sculls, Ross Edgar who took silver in the keirin and David Florence, silver in the canoe slalom – will also take part in the parade alongside other Olympians including judo's Euan Burton, hurdler Allan Scott and swimmers Euan Dale and Gregor Tait.

Steve Cardownie, the council's deputy leader, said: "An open-top (parade] is the best opportunity we can give for the people of Edinburgh to come out and congratulate Chris Hoy and the rest of the Scottish athletes."

Alex Salmond, the First Minister, will host a formal reception at Stirling Castle for all of Scotland's Olympians and para Olympians.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "The Scottish Government is investigating what can be done for our returning athletes.

"We have a variety of options for a public celebration, but plans are in their infancy at the moment."

The Scottish Commonwealth Youth team, who are due to appear in the Commonwealth Youth Games in Puna, India in mid October, will also be invited.

In a statement, the Scottish Government said: "The idea is that Scotland's young talent can rub shoulders with established Olympians and learn from them.

"It will be a great opportunity for the stars of tomorrow to speak to the likes of Chris Hoy and gain some valuable experience."