Former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lachie Stewart dies aged 81

Former Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Olympic athlete Lachie Stewart has died at the age of 81.

Stewart won 10,000 metres gold for Scotland at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh in a huge moment for Scottish sport.

He crossed the line ahead of Australian Ron Clarke to win the gold medal, with England’s Dick Taylor taking bronze.

Stewart represented Scotland at three Commonwealth Games and also ran for Great Britain at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Born in Alexandria in 1943, Stewart worked as a dental mechanic for 44 years and even after his retirement from the track, Scottish Athletics said he was a regular attendee at local events.

“One of the icons of our sport has passed away in hospital in Paisley after a short illness,” a statement from the governing body said.

“Everyone at Scottish Athletics and within our community sends our thoughts at this sad time to Lachie’s family and his many friends across the sport”.

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