First Minister and King Charles congratulate Team GB as 2024 Olympics come to an end

The First Minister and King Charles have congratulated the Team GB as the 2024 Olympic Games comes to an end.

Scottish competitors taking part individually or in team events secured three gold medals, four silver medals and six bronze medals, contributing to TeamGB’s overall medals tally of 65 medals.

In either individual or team events, Duncan Scott, Scott Brash and Sholto Carnegie all won gold.

In either individual or team events, Duncan Scott, Jack Carlin, Josh Kerr and Neah Evans all won silver.

And Beth Potter (two), Rowan McKellar, Nicole Yeargin (two) and Jack Carlin all won bronze.

Several Scots achieved Scottish and British records in their events, including British Records for Josh Kerr in the men’s 1500 metres, Jack Carlin’s silver in the men’s cycling team sprint and a new Scottish record for Keanna MacInnes in her opening heat of the women’s 100 metres butterfly.

Almost two thirds of the Scottish athletes selected for Team GB were female athletes, including Eilish McColgan who became the first Scottish four-time track and field Olympian.

John Swinney said: “Competing on the world stage amongst some of the best sporting talent on the planet is a tremendous honour, and I know the whole nation is with me in congratulating our Scottish athletes who have made an enormous contribution to Team GB’s success at these Games.

“These athletes have all been outstanding in their performances and as ambassadors for their sport, and will inspire many young people to become more active in their lives.

“These games have seen amazing achievements, including Duncan Scott becoming Scotland’s most decorated Olympian, and will be remembered for being the final curtain on the remarkable career of Scotland’s greatest ever sportsman, Andy Murray.

“All of our athletes have excelled themselves and done themselves and their country proud. I hope they are able to celebrate with their friends, family and the public in the coming days.”

Speaking ahead of the closing ceremony, The King described Team GB’s success as “outstanding”.

“My wife joins me in sending our warmest congratulations to the competitors and their support teams from Team GB and across the whole Commonwealth, for their many outstanding successes at the Olympic Games in Paris”, he said.

“Your achievements, across so many disciplines, were forged from that invaluable combination of raw talent, true grit and hard toil over many years, burnished these past weeks by sportsmanship and team spirit in the finest tradition of the Games.

“To those who missed out on the greatest prizes, you have most certainly not fallen short in the pride that you, too, have generated for your nations.

“As we thank France for hosting such a wonderful tournament and look to the Paralympics ahead, I can only say that you have all been an inspiration.”