Scots help to make Olympic history

SENSATIONAL cycling star Chris Hoy became Scotland's greatest-ever Olympian yesterday when he secured his SECOND gold medal at the Beijing games.

His epic performance at the Laoshan Velodrome put him ahead of sporting legends such as Eric Liddell, Allan Wells and Shirley Robertson.

The 32-year-old's track dominance in China has taken his overall Olympic gold medal haul to THREE - leading to calls for the Edinburgh-born star to be knighted.

And it was a DOUBLE celebration as Scots team-mate Ross Edgar took silver behind Chris in the final of the men's keirin.

Now First Minister Alex Salmond plans to hold a glittering Edinburgh Castle ceremony to welcome back our Olympic heroes.

Salmond paid tribute to our cycling champs, saying: "This is a fantastic achievement for Chris Hoy and Ross Edgar.

"It is Scotland's greatest sporting moment at the Olympics with Scots winning a gold and silver in the same event. Chris Hoy is now Scotland's most successful Olympian, as well as one of our best ever athletes."

Speaking after his astonishing win, Hoy grinned: "I put my head down, and didn't look back. When I got to the finish line it was just unbelievable."

He added: "I can't sum it up. It is beyond expectation. The night for the whole team has been just amazing and one that I will remember for a long time.

"I am very emotional just now and I am trying to keep a cap on it as I have another race tomorrow. But, it means EVERYTHING to me."

The cyclist choked back tears as he stood on the podium for the medal ceremony. As the national anthem played, he rocked his head back and closed his eyes to savour the moment.

Ross, 25, too could barely hide his delight as the Union flag was raised above them.

Chris had shed tears of joy as he received his first gold of the Beijing games on Friday, for the men's team sprint. His thrilled parents David, 62, and Carol, 60, watched proudly as he powered to gold yesterday.

Also there were girlfriend Sarra Kemp, 28, and sister Carrie, 35.

Calls have already started for Hoy to follow in the footsteps of Sir Steve Redgrave and be given a knighthood for services to his sport.

When asked about the possibility of the honour he chuckled: "I don't know about that.

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"I didn't realise that I was in line to become Scotland's most successful Olympian, and it is fantastic. I don't think about these things. When you get to the start line there are no thoughts of medals, podiums, or anything.

"It is all about the process, about the event and the performance on the track. As long as you don't lose sight of that then you know you can fulfil your potential and that is what I did tonight."

The champ - who also scooped gold in the 1km time trial in Athens four years ago - revealed he FEARED for his medal chances after that event was scrapped.

He said: "After the kilo was dropped there were parts of me that thought it might be the end of my individual career.

"To come back and win in a different event altogether is just fantastic, it really is."

Hoy remained ice cool during the race and didn't panic when Japanese rider Kiyofumi Nagai went past him with the finishing line almost in sight.

He added: "I didn't want to go right from the gun, I was happy for Nagai to go in front. It was a carrot for me to aim at. When I launched it with about a lap and a half to go that was it, everything, empty the tanks.

"I am delighted that Ross got the silver too."

But there was no late-night partying for Hoy who begins his quest for a third gold today in the individual sprint.

The hero - who won a cycling silver in Sydney in 2000 - added: "Qualification is early on so I need to get to bed early.

"The plan is to get as much food and rest as I can...then come back with fire in the belly for number three."

Meanwhile Ross - who was born in Newmarket, Suffolk but represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games - revealed his silver medal has helped ease the pain of missing out on being included in the men's sprint team.

Ross - whose dad David hails from Kilwinning, Ayrshire - said: "The team sprint was hard to watch, the guys put in a phenomenal ride.

"It was a shame I wasn't part of the team but I'm delighted today, I can't put it into words. I was trying not to dwell on it yesterday at all, but I did find it really hard to sleep last night.

"They had the right team and they were all flying, so I can't really begrudge any of the decisions that were made."

In yesterday's thrilling eight-lap race he sneaked through a gap to claim silver - but he admitted he just couldn't catch Chris.

He said: "I had to battle through. As soon as the door opened I was through and after Chris but he got away from me."

And last night it was revealed that the First Minister has already set in motion his plan to honour them at Edinburgh Castle.

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A spokesman said: "The way things are going in Beijing, Bute House won't be big enough!

"We all hope that Chris hits a hat trick and gains a third gold in the men's track cycling sprint."

Immediately after the race bookies put odds of 6/1 on Hoy winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "There are a number of Olympians who are in with a great shout for this year's award and Hoy is right up there."

Chris was one of four gold medallists in a Super Saturday which also saw the UK scoop gold in swimming and rowing.

Cyclist Bradley Wiggins, 28, clinched his fifth Olympic win for the individual pursuit.

And in a nail-biting finish the British rowers' coxless four team snatched victory from the Australians to take the total gold medal tally to 17.