Sport Archives - Page 6 of 19 - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Hilton Head and troosers, knees and Faldo’s

20th July 202420th July 2024 funtime65

When you’re in the presence of a golfing knight it does well to bow down, which is how Hilton Head and troosers knees and Faldo’s all came about.

Picture the scene, a mini-stage on the Engravers suite on the top floor of the Origins building.

At Royal Troon golf course at the 152nd Open Golf Championship.

And the six-time major golf champion has just taken a question from me from the floor.

He asks for a glass of water while the microphone comes my way.

Earning our stripes: Phil, Sir Nick and Myself

And in the interim I move forward, bend down and move my phone by his feet to pick up his pronouncements.

When the Great Man startled by the intrusion asks in front of the packed gallery?

‘What are you doin’? You trying to get up ma troosers?’

When I explained I was merely capturing his words for posterity it broke the ice.

Kneeling at the feet of a great

Sir Nick was good enough to share with us his fond memories of winning his first Open in ‘the pea-green soup’ of my local course, Muirfield back in 1987.

And following another Open again at St Andrews, the home of golf, returning to do it all again at Muirfield.

And his last four holes to win the Claret Jug being the best he has ever played.

Jacket required: Ben Crenshaw helps Nick Faldo on with his Masters green jacket

The Engravers experience (£1,175pp) for day ticket, all-inclusive food and drink, access to the course.

And the chance to ask a question of a golfing great… and even kneel at their feet.

Sir Nick is, of course, a giant now of the game so the chance to hear him exclusively in an intimate setting is a treat.

Troon the houses

The Englishman, still looking like a matinee idol at 67, recalled his earliest days, camping and playing the 1973 Open.

While Tony Jacklin gave eventual winner Tom Weiskopf a lift in his Rolls-Royce.

That for us was the year the family drove down to South Ayrshire from Glasgow.

Only for my Dear Old Dad to decide not to brave out the traffic.

But rather turn the car around and drive us all back to watch it on TV.

Sir Nick also shared his memories of one of the breakthrough moments of his career.

Prompted by our table and the Hilton Head community, Savannah/Hilton Head International and their friends and promoters.

Hilton Head for the top

It was the then plain Nick’s first tourney win on American soil, the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

And Sir Nick admitted he approached the event in a Monte Carlo or Bust fashion but came through the woods and the trees to deliver.

And it piques this social golfer but gallery fan to look to plan my visit out there.

The ripples of laughter long subsided from my bold introduction from earlier.

And having soaked in Sir Nick’s views on everything from today’s tech to Pringle jumpers and the taxman to LIV golf (not a big fan).

Sir Nick wraps it all up by giving seemingly everyone in the room a photo with him and signing autographs.

I wish him well and tell him he will be very welcome back at Muirfield, where hopefully The Open will return soon.

And when he does he may very well be looking out for me… the eager fan with a phone and I know I’d be recalling Hilton Head and troosers, knees and Faldo’s.

America, Countries, Deals, Europe, Ireland, Sport, UK

Hilton Head of the pack at the golf in Troon

20th July 202420th July 2024 funtime65

Somewhere on a heavenly practice green my Dear Old Dad is bestowing unasked for advice on a major champion.. me, I’m Hilton Head of the pack at the golf in Troon.

The famous golfer was Aussie David Graham, the ‘expert coach’Glasgow Hilton Park’s very own James G Murty and the year 1982.

Tiger on the prowl: Channeling his inner Woods

When club hacker Jimmy G tut-tutted at the US Open and USPGA champ’s missed putt and opined: ‘Never up, never in.’

The good doctor had decamped from Glasgow to Ayrshire with his youngest son for practice day at the Open Golf Championship.

And a sit-down meal in a hospitality tent courtesy of a drug company,

For a 16-year-old sports mad lad this was luxury and my Dad was the most important man in the world, which, of course, he was.

Troon with the cool kids

But, in truth, the hospitality was nothing like what we have today in Troon… we didn’t have to put up the tentpoles or anything!

We are at The Engravers suite (£1,175pp) today by the 15th fairway of the famous old course.

Where we are perusing the tee-off times while imbibing of something a little stronger than tea at the complimentary bar.

And as a 16-year-old back in 1982 my Dad insured that I got nothing stronger than a Coca-Cola.

Written in stars at Engravers

Rock on Tommy: Ryder Cup star Tommy Fleetwood

You can, of course, salve your thirst at the Engravers with the leaf and fill your bellies with a hearty breakfast.

Because you’ll be needing a full tank to negotiate those undulating bumps and gorges of this coastal course.

As you follow the game’s best players around the Championship course.

And see them tackle and, in the cases of superstars like Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, fail at the iconic Postage Stamp and Railway Holes.

Back here at base at the Engravers you can hear too from a selected golfer first-hand.

How to play the course, in an exclusive Q&A slot… in this case six-time major winner and a Hilton Head Island winner too, Nick Faldo.

S0uth Carolina on my mind

Of course, all of us who sit (did I say we also have reserved seats in the 18th greenside grandstand?) are masters of the game.

Only we’re not, but the men draining the 40ft putts are.

Days like today and past evenings in Dublin are the closest I have come to visiting this corner of America in South Carolina.

But, of course, they merely heighten my longing to visit.

When I do I know I will be in the best of hands with my friends at Hilton Head.

All through the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport which itself is in Georgia.

Home and dry

I feel the hand of my Dear Old Dad beckoning me that it is time to leave ‘to beat the traffic’ his constant fear.

I feel though that he has extra super powers where he is now.

And he has sent dry weather down for our day at the Open, after the rainstorms that taunted the players the previous day.

An Open invitation

We will be back, both here, and another old stomping ground and family connection, Ireland.

Where the Open returns next year to Royal Portrush.

Where we are guaranteed a party at least on par with the Antrim course’s reunion with the Open after nearly 60 years.

When not even the legendary Ulster rain could dampen the spirits of the raucous golf fans cheering Irishman Shane Lowry to victory.

Even if for many that was from the apron of the Guinness Bar.

Me? I’ll figure out the waterproofs then.

For today, I’m with the cool crowd at The Engravers.

Dry, well catered for, and in the best company… Hilton Head of the pack at the golf in Troon.

America, Countries, Sport, Sustainable Tourism

Mais oui, the biggest bike museum is where?

15th July 202415th July 2024 funtime65

Mais oui, the biggest bike museum is where? Well, Steeltown, Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.

Not that you’d want to parler that around France where the biggest cycling competition, Le Tour, is currently raging.

But the sports-mad blue-collar East Coast American city might just have stolen a wheel on you here.

Morrow belongs to me: Craig in his museum

Especially Craig Morrow, who opened Bicycle Heaven in 2011, and has filled it with more than 3,000 bikes.

All of which I ferreted out from a nugget of knowledge from the Visit Pittsburgh team.

And who visited and sponsored the American Soiree travel symposium in Dublin last week.

And showcased their route from Pittsburgh to Washington DC, the Great Allegheny Passage.

Tour de Pittsburgh

Off on a tandem: The Monkees contraption

The 333.3-mile week-long track that adjoins C&O Canal Towpath… or maybe 45- to 60-mile bicycling days.

All of which requires the back-up of a Tour de France support team… or in the absence of that then Craig Morrow.

The thing is that you probably know about Cycling Heaven without realising it.

From Russell Crowe movies (A Beautiful Mind) or Viola Davies (Fences) to The Monkees and The Beatles.

To tread through Cycling Heaven is a ride through cycling history.

From the early wooden bikes, with the oldest in the shop, built in 1863, termed the ‘boneshaker’.

To the carbon-based frames of today.

With the novelty contraptions such as the ‘Hercules’ where you bounce on the seat to get going.

And I reckon I’d be a natural having pedalled my own Margaritas in San Antonio in Texas.

Now if you’ve got a spare $18,000 to $50,000 then you could leave with a 1940s fibreglass Bowden Spacelander.

That it’s Pittsburgh that boasts the biggest cycling museum in the world shouldn’t really surprise us.

Because the Penn city combines its industrial heritage and the eclectic vision of its favourite son Andy Warhol to draw the world.

How to get there

Fun and Games: With a Paralympian champ Mark Rohan in Quinta do Lago

And Aer Lingus will fly you there through Ireland with pre-clearance and JetBlue get you back.

So that if, as is my case, that means starting in Edinburgh, until my Scary One relents and allows us to return full time to Wicklow.

For now though I’ve dug out my own return flight Edinburgh to Pittsburgh knowing your departure point may be different.

From under a grand £957 round trip for the sample month of September.

Countries, Culture, Europe, Food, Sport

An Alpine hand to escape the heat

8th July 20248th July 2024 funtime65

Every summer my own fair maiden will shake her head at Med heatwaves… so happen she needs an Alpine hand to escape the heat.

Summer in the Alps is a very different experience to the winter skiing season.

And can, of course, be confusing when you come to dress for your trek through the valleys.

So if you sleep in, rush your shower and leave it on to seep through the ceiling to the breakfast room then you make the wrong choice.

And find yourself sweating under your ski jacket and become hampered by carrying it.

All of which you learned the hard way huffing and puffing up the hills while yodelling senior citizen Brigitte yodelled and hiked up to the peaks.

Now I tell you this out of love and to prepare you if you head for that summer Alpine trek in, say Morzine and Avoriaz in France this summer.

Take a hike

There all happy hikers can explore more than 200 km of marked trails.

While if you can pull off the lycra (not any more this MAMIL) look get on your bike.

In the expansive Portes du Soleil bike park, which features over 600 km of trails, ranging from beginner to expert levels.

Now those crystal-clear lakes look welcoming enough for a dip…

And in Lake Montriond you can swim, paddleboard, or kayak in the valleys.

While for a more exhilarating experience, thrill-seekers can take on the white-water rafting on the Dranse River.

Being more of a skimmer than a swimmer, although I have traversed rapids in a tub, I’ll let you pick your obsession.

Anyone for tennis… and fondues

Now I do less damage on a golf course or tennis court, although Judy Murray who trained is in the Algarve might say different.

Now you can practise your swing at the 9-hole Avoriaz golf course, one of the highest courses in Europe.

Or engage in a friendly match at the well-maintained tennis courts in Morzine.

All this healthy activity of course is hungry work.

And one of the joys of Alpine living is the refuel.

Our amis in Morzine and Avoriaz recommend this sample, the Savoyard specialists La Chamade, fondue fave La Grange and gourmet L’Atelier.

While the Mil8 restaurant and its terrace on the foot of the slopes offers the lunch of champions.

Sharing platters, street food and mountain dishes and nostalgic desserts served in jars.

Chalet La France

Now as long as you don’t shower the diners then Alpine hoteliers will be only too glad to make you welcome.

The Hotel le Dahu is a rustic family-run mountainside accommodation with spa and indoor and outdoor pools.

If chalets are more your thing (mais oui) then Chalet Eira has spacious rooms, a lively bar, and a sun terrace.

Pierre & Vacances are an old favourite and Résidence Pierre & Vacances Atria-Crozats in Avoriaz are your s/c apartment go-to.

With wellness facilities and close to all major attractions.

A oui flight

Morzine and Avoriaz is only one hour from Geneva Airport with direct, low-cost flight access.

From London, Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester.

Return flights from London Gatwick to Geneva with easyJet are priced from just £49pp during the 2024 summer season.     

Countries, Europe, Sport

Le Tour di Firenze Grand Depart

29th June 202429th June 2024 funtime65

It’s the most poplar (bear with us here) cycling event in the world and this year all eyes are on Le Grand Tour di Firenze Grand Depart.

Firenze is as synonymous for its poplar trees as it is its Duomo and Boy David.

And they are at their full height as the Tour de France cyclists ride through the streets and up the peaks of Tuscany.

It seems something of an oversight that this Renaissance City, and Il Bel Paese, have been overlooked over the 110 years of Le Tour for Le Depart.

Before squillions of Euro won them the prestigious opening stage of Le Tour.

Gino, Il Giro and Le Tour

Italy, of course, has its own famous Tour, Il Giro, and pedallers too.

It is ten years though since an Italian, Vincenzo Nibali, reached L’Arc de Triomphe in jeune or giallo.

Following in the tread marks of the likes of Ottavio Bottechia, Fausto Coppi, Gino Bartali and Marco Pantani.

You can learn for yourself all about these Renaissance riders for yourself at the Gino Bartali Cycling Museum in Firenze.

But as a taster our amici at Britain’s Channel 4, who have been bringing us extensive coverage for 40 years, have filled us in.

War hero

Gino, or ‘Ginetaccio’ as he is known in these parts won three Giri and two Tours in the 30s and 40s.

But as well as his exploits on two wheels he had crossbar crossover too for what he did in the War.

Gino, as most elite cyclists are, was very much his own uomo.

And that meant him taking a brave stance in 1938 when not dedicating his Tour de France victory to Il Duce.

He was to show even greater courage in 1943 when he defied the German occupiers in northern Italy.

Bartali took the Cardinal of Firenze, Archbishop Elia Dalla Costa, up on his invitation to join a secret network offering protection and safe passage to Jews and other vulnerable people.

As a courier with the famous cyclist, carrying photographs and counterfeit identity documents to and from a secret printing press.

All hidden in the frame and handlebars of his bike.

Bartali also hid his Jewish friend Giacomo Goldenberg, and Goldenberg’s family.

On the road again

Like all true heroes, Bartali played down his feats of derring-do and in later life, saying “I’m just a cyclist.”

Thankfully Bartali’s successors on Le Tour di Firenze Grand Depart only have to worry now about getting to Rimini in Emilia-Romagna.

And beyond to Cesenatico, Bologna, Piacenza and Torino en route to Paris in three weeks.

We will be following them from the safe distance of home… and seeing if an eighth Italian can win Le Tour.

But if you are lucky enough to be in the vicinity of a Tour leg and can get there early to see the cycling fans set up picnic tables at designated spots, it’s quite a sight.

Countries, Europe, Sport, UK

Our Euros rematch with Germany… at foosball

20th June 202420th June 2024 funtime65

And their trip up to Edinburgh gave us the chance of our Euros rematch with Germany… at foosball.

Of course, damningly, the Germans were even better at the table football version.

And we lost 8-2, with the Germans as gracious in victory as they were after our Munich mullering.

Mine host Harald looked after us, for our double matchday function at Riddles Court, as well as any Munich bierkeller owner.

You’ll perhaps have heard how the 200,000-strong Tartan Army drank Munich dry.

And that is no small beer in boozy Bavaria.

Swiss timing

The Tartan Army, of course, packed up camp and moved on to their next base for the match against Switzerland in Cologne.

And the Swiss were outnumbered here among the Scottish guests at Riddles Court as they were in the Koln stadium.

Food for thought

With a point now in the bag and qualification still alive it’s now Hungary in Stuttgart.

Where we picked up a little local knowledge from the mayor of Stuttgart, no less, on what culinary treats await.

So that’ll be the Schwäbische Maultaschen then, a large ravioli, filled with meat, onions and spinach.

Or the Zwiebelrostbraten, literally an ‘onion roast’ with the beef cooked in a gravy flavored with garlic and the onions.

All washed down with the Stuttgarter Hobrau and a schnaps chaser which the Scots will learn about soon enough.

This Scot was a quick learner when he was presented with a shot glass and a stein at the Hofbrauhaus in Munich.

A different ball game

Now, of course, that many Scots can’t be shoehorned even into the biggest stadium and that’s where fanzones come into play.

And the fanzone in Schlossplatz boasts a football pitch, beach football, foosball, e-sports and teqball.

Teqball, you say… well, it’s a cross between sepak takraw or foot volleyball and table tennis which will be new to all of us.

Bet the Germans are better than us and everyone else at that too.

Which we know all about from our Euros rematch with Germany… at foosball.

America, Countries, Sport

Boston Sporty Party for the Celtics

18th June 202418th June 2024 funtime65

Eurocentrics listen up, there is other sport around the world, and the green bunting is up all around Beantown today as fans throw a Boston Sporty Party for the Celtics.

Bostonians rightly beam about their famous basketball team, and rightly so, as they are now inarguably the most successful NBA team of all time.

The Celtics had reluctantly shared that mantle with their greatest of rivals, the LA Lakers, on 17 titles before this week.

But the prospect of the exclusivity of an 18th title drove Jason Taytum, Jaylen Brown and the Celtics to a historic title.

With a 4-1 win over the game Dallas Mavericks.

Bostonians flying high

Now as well as the fanfare and receptions that will last all summer and right through to the resumption of the NBA.

The Celtics will earn an 18th pennant to be draped on the walls of Logan Airport alongside the other winners in New England’s proud history.

This millennium has been particularly kind to New England’s teams.

And not just because of Tom Brady at the Patriots.

Boston’s Big Four sports franchises have now delivered 14 titles this century.

And soon they’ll be needing to build another terminal at Logan.

To hang all their banners which includes the city’s other successes!

Now having been hosted like a Tom Brady or Larry Bird by the good people of Boston in the grand old city.

Back with my Boston buddies

It will be my pleasure to reciprocate this week in my adopted city of Edinburgh.

Where we will celebrate the Celtics’ success and hear what else is going down in New England.

As New Englanders, of course, the sports of the Olde Worlde have a foothold on the north-west coast.

And so the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough will be front and centre in two years’ time for the football World Cup.

With five group matches, a round of 32 match and a quarter-final booked for Boston.

Babe’s base and Tom’s temple

Now if you like your city break doused with history, culture, culinary.

And the best sports teams then Boston is waiting for you.

And following my travel mantra of going where people play and pray then see for yourself their sporting cathedrals.

The TD Garden for the Celtics and the Boston Bruins ice hockey team.

And Fenway Park, where they’ve been coming to watch the best baseball.

From Cy Young, Babe Ruth and Jim Rice through Roger Clemens and Wade Boggs to David Ortiz and beyond.

And Tom Brady’s temple at Foxburgh.

Frequent flier from Dublin

Around for tea: The Boston Tea Party Museum

Now whatever your sporting special is you’ll find it in New England where the action never stops.

And the stadium tours like the Sam Adams tour is always in tap.

As ever with all things transatlantic the best route is through Dublin Airport with pre-clearance and Aer Lingus.

So, if you’re in Beantown lap up the celebrations and the Boston Sporty Party for the Celtics.

And if not find yourself some New Englanders to break bread with and plan your next trip out to Boston Sports City.

Countries, Europe, Sport

Herr for der beer in Gelsenkirchen

16th June 202416th June 2024 funtime65

And for the day that’s in it we’re only herr for der beer in Gelsenkirchen.

Gelsenkirchen has been transformed into Little England or Little Serbia, if you will, as their supporters take over the Ruhrland for today’s Euros clash.

Now if the organisers had picked a venue especially for lager-loving England fans then it would be the VELTINS Arena.

Because they literally pipe in the beer to the stadium.

All 52,000 litres of the amber nectar along a 5km super beer highway from Schalke 04’s own brewery.

Flowing in the Frothierland

It all dates back to an open day at the ground when the beer ran out for the thirsty fans.

And the club took the pioneering decision to never again leave it to chance and keep the beer flowing in the Frothierland.

All of which we saw for ourselves in the aftermath of a Schalke game on a football tour of Ruhrland.

When we walked through the sticky concourse and into the main arena.

Where you’d be forgiven for thinking you were still in a tipsy haze because the pitch has gone.

Grounds for optimism

The efficient Germans have only put it out with the empties, it would seem.

But, nein, this is another ingenious feature of the VELTINS arena, the moveable pitch.

Schalke, you see keep their pitch outside and slide it in for match days.

So that they can use the arena for other attractions.

And what’s more important than any mere kickball match is that it will make more room for the Swifties.

When Tay-Tay sweeps into Gelsenkirchen next month.

For three days of partying for 180,000 good-natured music festivalgoers.

The lowdown

Alas though, and here is der kicker, different rules will apply today for the football fans of England and Serbia.

With the match deemed high risk and only allowed low alcohol beer at the ground.

While a special free UEFA Euro fan park had been erected on the Trabrenbahn racecourse in the centre of Gelsenkirchen for England fans.

Where there’s music, games and food and drinks stalls.

Now, if your tastebuds have been tickled by the thought of full-strength Ruhr lager.

And you are out in these parts, then lucky you.

Toast to the others

On the boardwalk: The versatile interior

And know this, there are three other matches to be played between countries who aren’t on probation.

So that’s Italy v Spain on Thursday, June 20 and Georgia v Portugal on Wednesday, June 26.

And then a round of 16 game between the first in Group C and the third in D/E/F (no, us neither).

Schalke fans, of course, get to imbibe every week of their season.

And on all the other occasions such as when the Swifties are in town.

Or when party-loving, football fanatical good-hearted Scots are herr for der beer in Gelsenkirchen.

So if you’re in Gelsenkirchen this week, in the coming weeks or any time then wish the locals Gluck Auf.

It means luck up which is kinda similar to something that would come out of a English football hooligan’s mouth.

Countries, Europe, Food & Wine, Sport

At the football with the Germans in Munich

14th June 202414th June 2024 funtime65

Football is an international language and we had Stein in common at the football with the Germans in Munich.

The Stein I was bigging up was the legendary Celtic and Scotland manager Jock Stein.

The Stein the Bayern Munich fan standing next to me was more familiar with was the drinking vessel beloved of Bavarians.

In between we took in the Bavarian derby, Bayern v Nuremberg, which the hosts won 1-0.

Before my head now full of gutteral-sounding German footballers I headed back to the Oktoberfest.

Only to walk into an argument between the girlfriends of opposing football fans outside the Hofbrauhuis.

Fighting frauleins

All of which I ought to have known about from too many Saturday nights out on the town back in Scotland.

And my act of gallantry ended up with one of the fighting frauleins catching me with a haymaker.

And the next thing I knew I was being ambulanced to the hospital with a suspected broken nose.

The German doctor was as efficient as you’d expect and an hour or so later I was back on the road.

Carry on camping

Only dizzy with the beer and the bloody nose, I could not remember the camp site where I was staying.

Thankfully the taxi driver took a punt at the camp where the Aussies and Kiwis would annually fill up.

With the Antipodeans my coach mates for the week.

Now if the Munich Beerfest is Down Under Abroad at that time of year.

With the (very) odd Scot who has stumbled on to a budget Top Deck coach thrown in for good measure.

Then this weekend is all about the Jocks with 200,000 Tartan Army foot soldiers having invaded the Bavarian capital.

Munich revisited

It’s 40 years since my act of chivalry at Oktoberfest.

Jock Stein died later that year after collapsing on the touchline helping Scotland en route to World Cup qualification.

I would hope though that my Munich mate is still cheering on his beloved Bayern.

That the two frauleins made up and now warn their kinder to behave when they go to the football.

And to indulge well-meaning hairy-faced Scotsmen who just wants all football fans to be freundes.

Just like I have gone on to be from the Ruhr to Hamburg and all points east and south.

And will be there in spirit with the Tartan Army as Schottland face Deutschland in the Euro 24 opener.

At the football with the Germans in Munich.

Countries, Europe, Sport, UK

A centennial tribute to Olympian Eric Liddell

2nd June 20242nd June 2024 funtime65

On this slow summer Sunday let’s pick up the pace a bit with a centennial tribute to Olympian Eric Liddell.

Liddell’s legend lives on less in his home country of Scotland than on the big screen.

As the God-fearing star of the Oscar-winning Chariots of Fire.

The film which chronicled his and fellow British sprinter Harold Abrahams at the 1924 Paris Olympics.

With Liddell entering the pantheon of sporting greats by winning the 400m gold.

But only after sacrificing his place in his favoured event of the 100m.

Because it would have involved him having to run on a Sunday, the Lord’s day.

Bring Eric into the open

Happy Hundred: Liddell fans inside Edinburgh University

Now you would imagine that such heroism would have earned Liddell a permanent podium in a town square.

But, of course, this prophet in his own land was overlooked for the usual slavers and empire builders who look down on us from plinths.

And the Flying Scotsman is hidden away in Eltham College (no, us neither).

And hidden inside his alma mater of Edinburgh University.

Also as a stained glass window in a church in Holy Corner in Morningside in the Scottish capital.

Paris revisited

The great sprinter will no doubt be eulogised by commentators in the City of Light to inspire our Paris 2024 hopefuls.

Without a mention that China, who will no doubt be pilloried by our Little Britainers, pay more homage to Liddell than we do.

And there is a statue of Liddell at his Japanese internment camp in China.

With the People’s Republic even claiming the Chinese-born Liddell as their first Olympic champion.

With a memorial to the Scot who lies there for eternity having died doing missionary work in the Far East.

It might be worth reflecting that the original Olympians in Hellas performed for the greater glory of the Gods.

While today’s athletes compete for greater riches, clicks and social media followers.

The OG Olympians

Those OG (as the Gen Z millennials) Olympians in Greece would call them became immortalised in statue.

And wouldn’t it be fitting then as a centennial tribute to Olympian Eric Liddell?

To erect a town square statue to a real Edinburgh hero… and we salute the sterling work of the steering group The Eric Liddell 100.

And God knows, there is no shortage of redundant erections around the city which we could start ripping down now.