Scottish independence: ‘Business as usual’ - BOA

THE British Olympic Association declared it was business as usual after the Scottish electorate rejected independence in Thursday’s referendum.

Sir Craig Reedie. Picture: Robert Perry

The BOA could have been set for fundamental changes had a majority of Scots voted for independence. Scottish athletes who had previously represented Great Britain would have had to make a choice which country to represent - a potentially tricky problem if they were part of a pair such as sailing or rowing.

Sir Craig Reedie, the Scot who is Britain’s most senior figure in Olympic sport, had said there was uncertainty over whether there would be time for an independent Scotland to be recognised ahead of the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

But a BOA spokesperson said on Friday in the wake of Scotland remaining part of the United Kingdom: “We are looking forward to continuing our detailed planning for Team GB as we prepare for the forthcoming Olympic Youth Festival early next year, the Baku 2015 European Games and of course Rio 2016.”

The British and Irish Lions, who are comprised of the best players from Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland, would have been forced to consider a name change had the ‘Yes’ campaign gained the majority.

“We don’t comment on political issues. Beyond a possible name change the vote wouldn’t have had any implications for us,” a Lions spokesperson said.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany reacted to the result by expressing his wish for Scottish teams to join the Barclays Premier League.

“Scotland votes No. Hard to look past those headlines. Just my opinion: would love to face some Scottish sides in the Premier League..” Kompany said on his official Twitter account.