Victory parades for Scottish and Welsh athletes

Britain’s most successful Olympian, Edinburgh-born Sir Chris, was joined by rower Katherine Grainger, swimmer Michael Jamieson and cyclist Neil Fachie in a victory parade through Glasgow.

Athletes travelled from Glasgow’s west end towards the city centre on three 7.5 tonne wheelchair-friendly vehicles.

Welsh athletes set off a little later on their victory parade in Cardiff, where First Minister Carwyn Jones is due to greet Olympic and Paralympic champions. Among them will be taekwondo gold medallists Jade Jones and Tom James, as well as Paralympic champions Mark Colbourne, Aled Davies and Josie Pearson.

Welsh athletes took a record seven medals at the Olympics and 14 at the Paralympics, where they matched their Beijing haul.

Speaking shortly before Scotland’s parade began earlier this afternoon, Sir Chris said: “It’s nice to be part of the team – it’s not just me. People have said to me, ‘I had no interest in the Games and ended up glued to the TV’. It’s amazing to see. It’s not been a London-based games – it’s been for the whole of the UK.”

But one Scot absent from the party was gold medallist Andy Murray. Fans missed celebrating with the tennis champ, who not only beat Roger Federer to take the Olympic men’s title at London 2012 but went on to win the US Open, becoming Britain’s first grand slam winner since Fred Perry took the men’s Wimbledon title in 1936.

I haven’t made any decisions yet, but to be able to compete in Glasgow in a velodrome bearing my name would be the dream ending for me. Sir Chris Hoy

However, Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said: “I think it is for very good reasons. Andy is exhausted after his efforts. He will be back in Scotland very soon, he assures me.”

Murray is expected to celebrate with friends, family and fans in his hometown of Dunblane on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Sir Chris hoped to drum up interest in the Commonwealth Games during today’s parade and going forward. He was recently named as the first official ambassador of the 2014 Games, which are to be held in Glasgow.

The city’s new velodrome, to be opened to the public later this year, is being named in his honour.

He said: “The Commonwealth Games is a special event for me. I have fantastic memories of competing for Scotland in the Games on three separate occasions, especially winning my first major championship gold medal at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games.”

Up to 17,000 people were expected to attend celebrations in Glasgow’s George Square, where today’s parade will come to an end after touring the streets.

Sir Chris said: “Making sure that people from all walks of life, especially young people, feel inspired to be a part of the Games will be a big focus for me.

London has set the bar very high indeed and we are aware of that. Glasgow is going to rise to the challenge. Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister

“London 2012 was the perfect way to end my Olympic career. The Commonwealth Games are two years away and I haven’t made any decisions yet, but to be able to compete in Glasgow in a velodrome bearing my name would be the dream ending for me.”

Mr Salmond joined thousands of people in George Square to welcome the athletes. Speaking on BBC News, he said: “London has set the bar very high indeed and we are aware of that. Glasgow is going to rise to the challenge and hopefully do even better. I think the volunteers were a huge success and that is certainly something we will be emulating. All the good things that happened in London we are determined to do more of.”

Games bosses said the sportsman is the first of a “select group of high-profile sporting and celebrity figures” who will work with the organisers to promote the Games and make sure as many people as possible get involved in Scotland’s largest-ever sporting and cultural event.

Glasgow is also currently bidding for the Youth Olympic Games in 2018.