English hero exits Scots hall of fame

DOUBLE Olympic champion Rodney Pattisson was yesterday removed from the Scottish Sport Hall of Fame. It is the first time such action has been taken.

Pattisson, who was born in Campbeltown in 1943 but regards himself as English, said: “Hopefully this will end the myth that I am Scottish – which is what I wanted.”

The sailor, who won gold medals in the Flying Dutchman class at the 1968 Games in Mexico City and again in Munich four years later, was one of the 50 original inductees into the hall of fame in 2002.

Recently, Pattisson revealed he regretted agreeing to be included in the hall of fame alongside household names such as Jock Stein, Denis Law and Allan Wells. Although he was born in Campbeltown, it was only because his father was serving at RAF Machrihanish during the war. The family returned to England a few months later.

Despite this tenuous connection, which he says he told hall of fame organisers, Pattisson was inducted. “I want the facts to be correct,” he said. “My wife Jane does not want to read my obituary saying that I am Scottish.”

A spokesman for the hall of fame said: “The hall of fame panel has met and agreed to withdraw Mr Pattisson as it fully respects the wishes of the athlete.”