Athletics: Celtic Games to showcase future

YOUNG Scottish athletes have been urged to seize their chance this weekend to demonstrate their potential for future Olympic and Commonwealth Games.

The Celtic Games in Aberdeen tomorrow is an international event for under-18 and under-16 athletes as Scotland play host to visitors from Ireland and Wales.

Aberdeen City Council and Graham Construction have backed the meeting, at the impressive Aberdeen Sports Village, and Scottishathletics have added a “Futures” squad to the event for the first time this year as a development strategy.

It all coincides with tomorrow being the final day of the track action at London 2012 and Scottishathletics chief executive Nigel Holl believes the youngsters who pull on Scotland vests – many for the first time – will be inspired. “The Olympics has been 
tremendous for stimulating interest in so many sports but those youngsters involved in the Celtic Games are ones who have already displayed outstanding potential,’ said Holl.

“They are dedicated young athletes. We see many of them as having the potential to appear at major championships somewhere down the line.

“There’s a lot of talent involved and three of those selected – Robbie Nairn, Mhairi Patience and Ross Maxwell – won gold medals at the UK Schools Games in the Olympic Stadium in May. A fourth gold medallist that day in London, Emma Bowie, is in our Futures squad.’

Gambian-born sprinter Morro Bajo is selected for Scotland Under-18s for the 100m and the 200m following some fine performances for Edinburgh AC. Bajo returned to Scotland this summer from Africa following a campaign by veteran Edinburgh coach Bill Walker – who worked with Allan Wells back in 1980.

Local sprinter Kelsey Stewart is excited about representing Scotland for the first time in the Under-18 400m and 4x400m relay. Stewart, 15, represents the Banchory Stonehaven club and is Scottish Schools champions at 200m and 300m.

She said: “This is my first appearance for Scotland. I’m really looking forward to it and it’s even better for me that it is happening in Aberdeen. My training has been going well so I just hope I can put it all together on the day.”