Andy Murray ‘too exhausted’ for Olympic parade in Glasgow

SCOTTISH tennis hero Andy Murray has been forced to miss today’s Olympic and Paralympic parade in Glasgow because he is an “emotional and physical wreck” and must rest, his advisors said last night.

Fans turning out to see Scotland’s returning sporting champions will have to wait another two days to welcome the US Open winner, who plans a triumphant homecoming in Dunblane on Sunday instead.

A spokesman for the tennis player, who won gold and silver at the Olympic Games in London last month, said: “He has been on the road for four months solid and been told to take a couple of days rest, but is very keen to get to Scotland as soon as possible.

“He is devastated he won’t be there on Friday but he is an emotional and physical wreck. He has had one hour’s sleep in two days.”

Up to 100,000 people are expected to welcome Scotland’s Olympic and Paralympic stars as they parade through Glasgow this afternoon.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “Everyone would love to see Andy in Glasgow for the parade, but after his phenomenal effort in New York it is entirely understandable if he needs a proper rest.”

Tennis Scotland, the sport’s governing body, said: “It’s a shame Andy will not be able to make it, but it is still going to be a wonderful day with all the other Scottish sporting heroes in the parade.”

Some 50 of the 82 Scots in the British Olympics and Paralympics teams will take part in the procession from Kelvingrove to George Square.

Nearly all the 13 Olympic medal winners will be on board two open lorries, including 
cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, Britain’s most decorated Olympian, rower Katherine Grainger and swimmer Michael Jamieson.

Sir Chris was yesterday named as the first official ambassador of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, to be held in Glasgow.

Medal-winning Paralympians joining them will include swimmer Neil Fachie.

The Scottish Government has urged people from across the country to come to Glasgow for the celebrations and the city council has promised the athletes “a welcome they will never forget”.

Crowds will line the two-mile route from the West End to the city centre, with a maximum of 17,000 people being allowed into George Square, where the athletes will appear on stage.

Athletes are expected to arrive at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum from 2:30pm before the parade leaves from the north car park at 4:15pm.

The procession will head east along Sauchiehall Street, through Charing Cross, then turn south down Blythswood Street, past Blythswood Square and east into West George Street.

It will then turn south again at Nelson Mandela Place, down the pedestrianised section of Buchanan Street, then east again on a short section of Argyle Street and north up Queen Street and into George Square.

The athletes will be welcomed on to a stage at the west end of the square from 5:30pm, stepping up in alphabetical order of sport categories. However, Sir Chris is likely to take the stage last.

THE TIMINGS

4:15pm Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum (fans are advised to come early for best viewing from 3:00pm)

4:25pm Sauchiehall Street (West)

4:35pm Sauchiehall Street (East)

4:40pm Blythswood Street

4:45pm West George Street

4:55pm Buchanan Street

5:05pm Argyle Street

5:10pm Queen Street

5:30pm George Square athletes arrive on stage (3:30pm – celebrations begin)