Hoy 'annoyed over political debate'

1:36pm Friday 5th September 2008

Olympic cycling hero Chris Hoy has said he feels politicians have tried to "cash in" on his success in Beijing.

Hoy became embroiled in a debate over the feasibility of a Scottish Olympic team shortly after becoming the first Briton in a century to win three gold medals at a single Games.

The 32-year-old, who was born in Edinburgh, said: "I was annoyed at getting drawn into a political debate when I'm an athlete. I ride a bike, I'm not a politician."

He added: "Politicians want to be involved so that they can get some sort of association with your success and benefit from the positive feeling in your country.

He added: "If there was a Scottish team in the Olympics, of course I'd want to be part of it, just like I am at the Commonwealth Games.

"But I felt the politicians were just trying to cash in on our success."

Hoy - whose exploits in Beijing made his a crucial voice in the debate - said his objection to a Scottish team was based on feasibility and not a lack of national pride.

He insisted the infrastructure in Scotland would require a major overhaul before the idea of a breakaway could be entertained.

"If the politicians are serious about it then great, but show us that you're serious," he said.

"I have to be very careful about what I say but I stand by what I said in terms of the call for a Scottish team to be entered into the Olympics. Before you even start thinking about that, you have to show commitment and put your money where your mouth is."

Features