Team GB inspire young curlers back home despite missing out on gold medal

Team GB made friends and family back home proud despite missing out on gold at the Winter Olympics after a gruelling defeat to Canada.

The Scottish quartet had hoped to become the first British men’s rink in over a century to win Olympic gold, but had to settle for silver last night.

Skip Bruce Mouat was “very disappointed” at the team’s defeat. The quartet, including Grant Hardie, Bobby Lammie and Hammy McMillan previously won a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics four years ago.

McMillan and Hardie are cousins and hail from Stranraer, while Lammie is also from the area.

While it may not have been the result they hoped for, the team’s success has undoubtedly brought renewed attention to the sport across the country.

Watching on, inspired young players at Bruce Mouat’s former club in Edinburgh say they want to follow in the footsteps of the Team GB competitors.

Paul Davis, coach at the club, told STV News: “When the kids see them on the TV, it’s a huge inspiration for all the curlers.

“They are role models, and it is fantastic.

“What makes it even better is that Bruce will be in the next few weeks to show the youngsters the silver medal.

“It is fantastic for the kids to get their pictures taken with them. There are tens of thousands of people who compete in the Olympics, but very few win medals.”

Team Mouat are set to return to Scotland in the coming days, and while it may be bittersweet, they’ll be met with celebrations from friends, family, and fans.

Whether they’ll make a third bid for gold at the next Winter Olympics remains to be seen, but for now, they can take pride in the inspiration they’ve given to these budding young curlers.