Unhappy Hoy hits out at politicians

Is Chris Hoy's success Scotland's or Britain's?

Friday, 05, Sep 2008 02:19

Triple Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy says he is unhappy with the way politicians have used him in their arguments over Scotland's role in the union.

The Scottish National party (SNP) continued their ongoing argument with Gordon Brown over Britishness and Scottishness, fuelled by Hoy's success in Beijing.

While SNP supporters have used Hoy's achievements as an argument for Scotland having its own team at the Olympics, the prime minister has used him when discussing the importance of maintaining the union.

"I was annoyed at getting drawn into a political debate when I'm an athlete. I ride a bike, I'm not a politician," Hoy was quoted by the Scotsman newspaper as saying.

"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.

"I was frustrated by the whole debate because I felt like I'd been misrepresented. I wasn't being anti-Scottish.

"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."

Last night Mr Brown quoted Hoy in a speech to Scottish business leaders.

He told the Scottish Confederation of British Industry: "There is a modern case for the union and it must be heard. It is not about partnership at the expense of pride; nor about pride that can satisfied only by sacrificing partnership.

"As our triple gold medallist Chris Hoy said: 'Scotland is part of Britain - they are not mutually exclusive. I wouldn't have three gold medals hanging round my neck if I wasn't part of the British team.'"