London 2012 Olympics: Sir Chris Hoy says Athens’ lessons must be learned

SIR Chris Hoy, who became Britain’s most decorated Olympian when he won his sixth gold medal at the Games, has urged his own sport of cycling and others to seize the opportunity to involve many more young people.

The 36-year-old from Edinburgh said that lessons had to be learned from the 2004 
Olympics in Athens, when a wave of enthusiasm was allowed to evaporate.

“The feel-good factor will carry on, there is no doubt, but this is the time to capitalise on it,” he told The Scotsman.

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“There are various schemes which help kids get involved and stay involved in sport.

“After Athens there was a lot of interest in track cycling, and people were saying ‘I would love to try it – there’s a track at Meadowbank [in Edinburgh], can I get on?’ That was at the end of August, and they were told, ‘Well, the track closes in two weeks’ time for the winter.’

“Six months later, when it opens in April, the kids will have found something else.

“So you have to strike while the iron is hot. There is a massive platform at the Olympics and then the Commonwealth Games in two years’ time. This is the ideal time to inspire a new generation for the future.

“It’s great winning medals now, but it’s almost more exciting what could be coming in the future with this massive springboard effect from these games and from the Commonwealth Games.”

Hoy is confident that cycling already has a structure that will enable younger cyclists to succeed him and Victoria Pendleton, who has now retired from the sport after winning gold in London. He said Laura Trott, 19, another gold medallist, was just one example of a gifted new generation who were emerging.

“Laura is just one of many in the background, really. There’s a lot of talented athletes waiting in the wings.

“We have an Olympic programme, an academy programme for younger, promising athletes, and then below that a Talent ID programme where they go into schools, give kids a chance to compete, and pick them out if they have the potential to be good at cycling.

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“It’s not too scientific, and there’s not too much pressure on the kids at that age. It’s just about letting them see the skills that they have on a bike, and learn the basic skills.

“It lets them see that there is a clear pathway to follow if they have ambitions, and it ends at the top step, which is the Olympic podium.”

For the past three years, Hoy has put some of his apparently inexhaustible supply of energy into supporting the Bank of Scotland’s Local Heroes programme, which offers assistance to athletes in a range of sports at the age at which many give up sport.

“The Local Heroes gives kids a chance who are already in sport and have talent and ambition, to really get that chance.

“It’s having the ability to have mentors, and to let them see what it takes to become successful. It has given them a step up, and I think it has been a fantastic programme so far. And hopefully we’ll see the fruits of that hard work in future.”

Both the UK and Scottish governments see greater focus on sport in schools as key to building on the Games, creating success for the future, and improving the nation’s health.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We’re increasing investment in PE, our active schools network is a huge success, opening up five million opportunities for young people to try sports.”

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