As a five-times Olympic and Commonwealth gold medallist he is the poster boy for English gymnastics, but now Max Whitlock has been named as the surprise face of Scotland’s largest sporting event since the Commonwealth Games.
The Hertfordshire-born gymnast has been confirmed as the official ambassador of the new multi-sport European Championships, which will be held in Glasgow next August and are expected to draw a global TV audience of one billion.
Whitlock, 24, won three golds for England at Glasgow 2014 and first place for Team GB at the World Championships, which were held at the city’s Hydro arena a year later.
He was surprised but delighted to be asked to be the public face of the event, which will feature gymnastics, swimming, diving, cycling, synchronised swimming, rowing, golf and triathlon.
“The fact that I’m not from Glasgow or Scotland makes it more of an honour,” he said. “The competitions that they have held here have been incredible and I can’t wait to get back here to compete. I’m a big fan of this city and I’m really excited to be an ambassador.”
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His performances in Scotland’s largest city, he said, were among the highlights of a career that has seen him amass a total of five Olympic medals, including two golds, at London and Rio.
“The Glasgow crowds are amazing. The atmosphere they bring is crazy. Every time I walked out into the arena at the Commonwealth Games I got goosebumps. Fingers crossed it will happen again next year.”
Colin Hartley, director of Glasgow 2018, said that Whitlock’s relationship with the city made him a strong choice.
“Max is a fantastic role model for young people and he has a great rapport with the people of Glasgow, having already won four gold medals here during his incredible career,” he said. “The whole city will be with him as he looks to add to that record next year.”
A number of Scottish athletes, including Duncan Scott, the Glasgow-born swimmer, who has won four golds at the world and European championships, are expected to star in the event.
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Scott recently declared that it would a “dream” to compete in the championships in his home city, while Stephen Milne, his Inverness-born Team GB colleague, is also tipped to make a huge impact. The event will bring 3,000 athletes to the city, along with an entourage of more than 5,500 officials, coaches and journalists.
More than a quarter of a million spectators are expected at the six sports, which will take place at venues throughout the city, as well as locations in North Lanarkshire, Perth and Kinross and the Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow. The Commonwealth Games pumped more than £100 million into the city’s economy and Aileen Campbell, the sports minister, predicted that Glasgow 2018 had the potential to generate another bonanza.
“It is hugely important to our economy in terms of visitors coming here, the business opportunities it creates and the global attention that it will bring,” she said. “Scotland and Glasgow are now firmly on the map as being well placed to host big, large-scale sporting events. What we have got in Scotland is the expertise and talent to put on great shows and that is now recognised around the world.”
Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow city council, said: “There is one year to go until the biggest sporting event to come to Glasgow and Scotland since we hosted the best Commonwealth Games. “The 2018 championships will be another chance for us to show the world that if you want to experience a show with an atmosphere like no other, Glasgow is where you’ll need to be.”
A Glasgow 2018 spokesman confirmed that the event would be covered by broadcasters across Europe and beyond, including the BBC. He said: “It will take Scotland’s sporting reputation to the next level in front of a potential audience of 1.3 billion.”
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A mascot called Bonnie follows Clyde
The mascots supporting two of the biggest sporting events in Scottish history share their names with the gangsters Bonnie and Clyde.
A seal pup called Bonnie was unveiled yesterday as the mascot for next year’s European Championships.
It means sports chiefs have coincidentally given figures representing two world-class sporting events in Glasgow a name from the notorious pair. Bonnie was developed following consultation with children aged seven to 12 and her name chosen by the public from a shortlist. In 2014 a “thistle” named Clyde supported the Commonwealth Games.
Clyde was designed by schoolgirl Beth Gilmour, who beat 4,000 other entries as part of a Blue Peter competition.
The original Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow travelled across America during the Great Depression,
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Organisers for the European Championships say that the names of the mascots have come about as a coincidence.
Aileen Campbell, minister for sport, said: “The mascot’s fun personality is ideally suited to encourage children to try their hand at new activities and sports.
“I’m sure Bonnie will become a much-loved face in Scotland and beyond, helping to build on the legacy from the Games — and of course the legacy of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships.”