Teenage athletes head for Athens

Jun 24 2009 East Kilbride News

LANARKSHIRE’S 19-strong team of young athletes are on the medal trail at the International Children’s Games in Athens.

In an early morning start on Tuesday, family and friends waved off the team bus from Hamilton Palace Grounds as the athletes and coaches headed for Glasgow Airport and their flight to Greece.

And wishing them all the best in a message of support Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said he was “proud of the young sports stars flying the flag for Lanarkshire and Scotland.”

He added: “The countdown is now on as we look forward to welcoming the world to the 2011 International Children’s Games in Lanarkshire.

“This will be a mini Commonwealth Games setting the scene for Glasgow 2014. The sports facilities in Lanarkshire are fantastic. Good luck to Team Lanarkshire in Athens.”

As ambassadors for the region the talented young sports stars are hoping to emulate Team Lanarkshire’s medal haul of three gold, three silver and two bronze from last year’s event in San Francisco.

The baton has now passed to the Athens squad, all aged 14 to 15, who will compete on the world stage in track, tennis, football and swimming events at the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games.

Michael McCann, co-chair of Lanarkshire 2011 said having Athens as the venue was extra special for the team.

He said: “Athens is the spiritual home of the modern Olympics and this undoubtedly gives the event an even greater sense of occasion for the young athletes.

“Athens hosted the Olympics in 2004 and is a city steeped in history, so it is a great opportunity for our young athletes to compete in this environment.

“Winning medals would be the icing on the cake for our athletes, but as far as the children’s games are concerned it’s about competing in an atmosphere of solidarity and fair play.

“The whole experience of meeting youngsters from other countries and cultures will be a positive and enriching one that will benefit each and every one of the 19 Lanarkshire youngsters taking part.”

Co-chair Jim Smith agreed and said for many member of the team it would be their first taste of international competition.

“Our young team members could hardly hope to have a better introduction to international competition than the Athens Children’s Games,” added councillor Smith.

“They will draw huge inspiration from the event, from the surroundings and from competing against so many youngsters from so many different backgrounds. It is something they will remember for the rest of their lives.”

The International Children’s Games was born out of the simple and meaningful vision of Yugoslavian professor Metod Klemenc to “promote peace and friendship through sports to the world’s youth.”

To that end he organised the first games which were heldin 1968 with teams from nine European cities participating.

The 2009 Team Lanarkshire squad members are: Rachel Whittle, athletics; Emma Brown, athletics; Mhairi Hendry, athletics; Arlene Barr, athletics; Darren Brownlie, football; Dean McLean, football; Craig Moore, football; Jack Smith, football; Anthony Brady, football; Ross Burnett, football; Ciaran Johnston, football; Euan Alston, swimming; Jonathan Stuart, swimming; Callum Baxter, swimming; Rochelle Callan, swimming; Lynn Macarthur, swimming; Leanna Marshall, swimming; Emily Lauder, tennis and Charlotte Walker, tennis

For more information on the 45th ICG Games in Lanarkshire 2011 contact info@ICG-Lanarkshire2011.com