First Minister Hosts Reception for Team
23rd December 2004

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS FOR YOUTH GAMES ATHLETES
At Edinburgh Castle this evening (22 December), First Minister Jack McConnell and Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Patricia Ferguson hosted a reception to recognise the outstanding achievements of the Commonwealth Youth Games team who returned to Scotland earlier this month with a haul of 52 medals. With 24 countries, taking part in nine sports over three days in Bendigo, Australia, Scotland finished in a very creditable fourth place, exceeding their own expectations.

The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the Athlete of the Games awards sponsored by The Army in Scotland.

Taking the top honours as Athlete of the Games was javelin thrower James Campbell (Cheltenham), who won gold with a throw of 67.21m setting a new personal best by over 5m and smashing the Scottish Age Group (under 20) record in the process which has stood since before he was born! James received a cheque for £500 towards his future training.

The two runners up were gymnast Adam Cox (Livingston) and weightlifter Peter Kirkbride (Kilmarnock). Adam won an impressive five medals (two gold and three bronze) with a gold on the high bar and in the all round individual competition. Peter took gold in the 85kg class, setting a new personal best and Scottish record of 120kg in the snatch. Both athletes received cheques for £250.

Commenting on the award winners Louise Martin, Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland said: “There were so many excellent performances in Bendigo it was extremely difficult to select the top three. However in James, Adam and Peter I am confident we have worthy winners, who not only won gold medals but also achieved new personal standards and set Scottish records in the process.

“The team performance as a whole was also excellent and I am sure the positive experience of travelling and competing as a multi-sport team will stand them in good stead for the future. I am also hopeful that a number of these athletes will be strong contenders for places in the Scottish team for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in just over a year’s time.

“I would also like to thank the First Minister and the Sports Minister for their unstinting support for the team. Only through the First Minister’s help in establishing the Commonwealth Games Endowment Fund following the 2002 Games in Manchester was it realistically possible to send such a strong team to Bendigo. It would be great if Scottish Businesses also recognised the team’s achievements and pledged their support through the Endowment Fund which would help with the preparations for Melbourne and beyond.”

The next Commonwealth Youth Games will be in Delhi, India in 2008.