Sir Jackie and McColgan lead the way in praising winner's fantastic achievement

Sir Jackie Stewart, who was named Sports Personality of the Year in 1973, has already written a letter to Hoy in order to congratulate the cyclist. Stewart was compelled to play the party-line last week when asked about who he preferred to win the award, and made positive noises about Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton. But yesterday, responding to his patriotic urges, he admitted he was glad Hoy had followed in his footsteps, 35 years later. He also called on Hoy's achievements to be recognised in this year's New Year's Honours list.

"It's terrific, and there's no question in my mind that the right man won," said the three-times Formula 1 world champion yesterday.

"I'm obviously very conscious that in the build-up to the programme I was quoted in a number of newspapers and magazines tipping Lewis Hamilton to win. But I would say that, of course, if I was wearing my motorsport hat. But with my Scottish hat on, my personal preference was to see Chris win the award and, having watched the programme on television and relived again what he's achieved, there's no doubt in my mind that the right guy won."

Stewart applauded Hoy for his manner since becoming such a public figure after his success in winning three gold medals in Beijing. The Scot lived up to his reputation with a polite speech in front of the watching millions on television on Sunday night. "Not only is he a fantastic athlete, but he is blessed with the ability to not only speak very well in public, but also very humbly about himself," continued Sir Jackie.

"I remember feeling when I won the award in 1973 – and also when I picked up other awards, such as the American Sportsman of the Year – that I was in a very privileged position when compared to many of the other sportsmen and women who were also in the running for the awards. While I was being paid very, very handsomely for competing in the sport I loved, many of the other sportsmen and women were almost scrimping to make ends meet. Yet they too were at the very highest levels within their own sports.

"It was similar last night. Lewis, as F1 world champion, is paid millions of pounds a year, yet Chris and the swimmer Rebecca Adlington, despite being multiple Olympic gold medallists, will have earned a tiny percentage of what Lewis picked up this year.

"I've actually just finished writing letter to Chris congratulating him on his fantastic success, not just in being crowned the Sports Personality of the Year, but, more importantly, on his triple gold medal success.

"And what's equally fantastic is that he has decided to keep pedalling for another four years and go for more gold in the London Olympics.

"Some might question whether, at 32, it's the right decision, but I know I was fitter and stronger both physically and mentally after I was 30 than any time before. OK, I wasn't pedalling a bike, but I'm sure Chris will feel exactly the same way.

"There's no doubt in my mind Chris is up there with the great Olympians like Sir Steve Redgrave. No Briton had ever won three gold medals in one Olympic Games in a century and I sincerely hope that when the New Year Honours list comes round in a few weeks, Chris receives exactly what he's due."

McColgan was another who thrilled at the sight of Hoy stepping up to receive the award from Sir Steve Redgrave and former sprinter Michael Johnson. McColgan, the last Scot to win the award in 1991, said that unlike many others, she had no doubts that Hoy would triumph. "I think it is fantastic – just the right award for him," she said. "This year he has shown he is the outstanding sports person in Britain.

"I wasn't surprised," she continued. "I was surprised other people were saying he was not favourite to win it. Most people were saying the swimmer (Adlington] was going to get it, but I couldn't see how. His achievements were just so great. I was never convinced he would not get it.

"Sometimes one person comes along who is a bit special and different, and he is one of them. He has proved himself beyond anyone else this year, and put himself on a whole new level."

McColgan watched the programme and revealed she had voted for Hoy. "But only once!" she added.

Ian Black, the first Scot to be crowned Sports Personality of the Year 50 year ago, was equally delighted at the outcome. "Congratulations to Chris and The Scotsman," said the former swimmer, with reference to the paper's 'It has to be Hoy' campaign last week. "This is great news for Scotland."

IN QUOTES

What Scotland's other BBC Sports Personality award winners had to say about Hoy's success...

IAN BLACK (1958)

"What Chris Hoy has achieved is unbelievable. His victory is great news for Scotland."

SIR JACKIE STEWART (1973)

"There's no doubt in my mind, Chris is up there with the great Olympians like Sir Steve Redgrave. No Briton had ever won three gold medals in one Olympic Games and I sincerely hope that when the New Year Honours List comes round in a few weeks, Chris receives exactly what he's due."

LIZ McCOLGAN (1991)

"Sometimes one person comes along who is a bit special and different, and he is one of them. He has proved himself beyond anyone else this year, and put himself on a whole new level."