First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of all the Scots athletes who competed at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games ahead of the official homecoming celebrations on September 28.
At the Olympic Games, the Scottish competitors who took part individually or in team events won four gold medals, seven silver medals and two bronze medals, making this the most successful overseas Olympics ever for Scottish athletes.
Men's singles tennis gold medallist Andy Murray
At the Paralympic Games, the Scottish competitors who took part individually or in team events won five gold medals, eight silver medals and four bronze medals – exceeding their tally from London 2012.
All in all, 28 Scots scaled the podium in Rio and many other athletes broke national records, recorded personal bests and surpassed expectations and targets.
'Your dedication is truly inspiring'
The First Minister said: “There is no higher honour than competing on a global stage and all our sportsmen and women have done Scotland proud as part of Team GB and ParalympicsGB.
“Both the Olympics and Paralympics have been fantastic Games and the teams have been brilliant from start to finish. The dedication of our athletes is truly inspiring and I am delighted that they have been so well rewarded for their efforts.
“People right across the country have been glued to the telly cheering the team on – with some very late nights as a result. There have been heroic efforts throughout the two teams and the results we’ve seen are testament to the hard work and dedication they, their families and their coaches have put in.
Maria Lyle won three medals at the Paralympics
“Their performances will have inspired the next generation of young talent coming through the ranks and I’m sure the entire team will all be given a warm and rapturous Scottish welcome at the official celebrations.
“Our athletes have done themselves and their country proud and they all deserve huge congratulations.”
Stewart Harris, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: "The performances of the athletes on Team GB and ParalympicsGB in Rio have been absolutely phenomenal. Their efforts have captured the imagination of the nation, and no doubt inspired the next generation to emulate their achievements.
"This success has not happened by chance. We have been building a world class system at every level for many years now. From schools and clubs, to the athletes performing on the world stage, we have been working with our partners to ensure that the connections are there to give aspiring athletes a clear pathway to progress in their chosen sport.
"This has been an extremely successful period for Scottish athletes on the world stage.
"From the Olympics and Paralympics in London and Sochi, to the incredible medal haul of Team Scotland in Glasgow, and now the best ever overseas Olympic Games in Rio, it’s a very exciting time for Scottish sport.
"Congratulations to all of our inspirational athletes on their terrific performances. Also, it is the tireless work done by the whole support system of families, coaches, volunteers, clubs, schools, sports and the experts at the sportscotland institute of sport, who help those athletes deliver success consistently on the world stage."
Medals won by Scots at Rio 2016 Olympics
GOLD (4)
Katie Archibald: Cycling (Track; Team Pursuit)
Callum Skinner: Cycling (Track; Team Sprint)
Heather Stanning: Rowing (Women's Pairs)
Andy Murray: Tennis (Men's Singles)
SILVER (7)
David Florence: Canoe Slalom (C2)
Callum Skinner: Cycling (Track; Men's Sprint)
Katherine Grainger: Rowing (Double Sculls)
Polly Swann, Karen Bennett: Rowing (Women's Eight)
Mark Bennett, Mark Robertson: Rugby 7s
Stephen Milne, Duncan Scott, Robbie Renwick, Dan Wallace: Swimming (4x200m Freestyle Relay)
Duncan Scott: Swimming (4x100m Medley Relay)
BRONZE (2)
Sally Conway (pictured): Judo (Women's -70kg)
Eilidh Doyle: Athletics (4x400m relay)
Medals won by Scots at Rio 2016 Paralympics
GOLD (5)
Jo Butterfield: Athletics (F51 Club Throw)
Libby Clegg: Athletics (T11 200m)
Libby Clegg: Athletics (T11 100m)
Karen Darke: Cycling (Road; H1-3 time trial)
Gordon Reid (pictured): Wheelchair Tennis (Men's Singles)
SILVER (8)
Maria Lyle: Athletics (T35-38 4x100m relay)
Stef Reid: Athletics (T44 Long Jump)
Neil Fachie: Cycling (Track; Tandem B 1000m time trial)
Alison Patrick, Hazel Smith (Guide): Para-triathlon (PT5)
Abby Kane: Swimming (S13 100m)
Scott Quin: Swimming (SB14 100m breaststroke)
Andrew Mullen: Swimming (S5 50m backstroke)
Gordon Reid: Wheelchair Tennis (Men’s Doubles)
BRONZE (4)
Maria Lyle: Athletics (T35 100m)
Maria Lyle: Athletics (T35 200m)
Andrew Mullen: Swimming (S5 200m freestyle)
Andrew Mullen: Swimming (S5 100m)
