Team Scotland have continued to delight in the final days of the Gold Coast Games.
Scotland finished with a total of 44 medals – the nation’s highest tally at an overseas Games.
Marathon runner Robbie Simpson scored a bronze on the final day of the competition – but his happy ending was overshadowed by Callum Hawkins who collapsed while he was leading the race.
Fans have shown their support for both athletes on Twitter.
@callhawk get well soon, good focus you showed! And the strategy was unbelievable, I was beginning to sing a song of gold for you and @teamscotland but health first! #GC2018 #gc2018marathon @GC2018 #TeamScot2018
— Chris C Obukwelu (@ccobukwelu) April 15, 2018
Hoping you’re being looked after and recovering @callhawk. Brutal conditions for a brutal event; I know you’d have been best prepared. Absolutely horrid to hear what happened but this won’t define you #TeamScot2018 #GC2018 #marathon
— Kimberley Murray (@KimMurray88) April 15, 2018
What a brave performance by Callum Hawkins, so close to gold in the marathon. And what an exceptional performance by Robbie Simpson he was 14th at half way, to then get bronze is remarkable.
— Fr Jeb (@FrJeb) April 15, 2018
Fellow athlete, Eilidh Doyle, shared her thoughts online.
Very proud of our marathon competitors out there today. It was so upsetting and distressing to watch that. Strange emotions right now, delighted for Robbie and heartbroken for Calum ?
— Eilidh Doyle (@EilidhDoyle) April 15, 2018
Aileen Campbell MSP, Minister for Public Health and Sport, praised the Scottish athletes for their efforts.
And that’s it for another four years. @GC2018 – you’ve been amazing! @Team_Scotland – you’ve done the whole country proud, from medals to sporting moments we have cheered you all the way! ?????????????????????? #TeamScot2018 #gc2018 pic.twitter.com/ovA0Lds6Xg
— Aileen Campbell (@ClydesdAileen) April 15, 2018
Meanwhile, a proud former teacher of Duncan Scott expressed her delight at his tremendous efforts – which saw him net an impressive six medals in the pool.
His achievements have broken records. He’s now the most decorated Scottish athlete at a single Commonwealth Games.
One of my former students Duncan Scott picked up an incredible 6 medals at the Commonwealth Games and has been chosen as the flag bearer for Team Scotland. Wow! What an amazing achievement. Well done Duncan! Hard work = success! #TeamScot2018 pic.twitter.com/dtobVJHcz6
— Heidi Stennett (@HeidiStennett) April 15, 2018
The official Team Scotland Twitter page celebrated the fantastic efforts from the men’s basketball team, despite them just missing out on the bronze medal.
Team Scotland’s basketball men miss out on the bronze medal 69-79 to New Zealand and will finish #GC2018 in 4th place. Unranked coming in they have performed superbly all tournament – very proud! #TeamScot2018 pic.twitter.com/jmFR5aylU1
— Team Scotland (@Team_Scotland) April 15, 2018
24-year-old Kirsty Gilmour, from Hamilton, fought her way to a bronze medal in the badminton women’s singles.
Commenting on the success of the XXI Commonwealth Games, CGF President Louise Martin CBE said: “The inspiring and impactful performances of our Commonwealth athletes have delivered on the promise of a historic collection of ‘firsts’ that were achieved in the run up to Games; whether that be the ground-breaking Reconciliation Action Plan, the equal number of medals for men and women for the first time, or the largest ever fully-integrated para-sport programme seen in Commonwealth and world sport,” said Martin.
CGF Chief Executive Officer, David Grevemberg CBE said: “The athletes have helped us write a new chapter in our modern Commonwealth’s history. The captivating stories, and unparalleled performances have brought a new meaning to the words ‘Commonwealth Athlete’.”
Chair of sportscotland, Mel Young, said: “It has been a remarkable Commonwealth Games for Team Scotland with the nation’s athletes shining on the global stage, securing a record number of medals at an away Games and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
“Their success in the Gold Coast is the culmination of years of hard work and is testament to the commitment of the Team Behind the Team, including 34 sportscotland support staff, and the leadership of Commonwealth Games Scotland.
“We are fully committed to building a world-class sporting system for everyone in Scotland, from grassroots through to performance sport, and it is clear from the success of Scottish athletes in recent years that this pathway is delivering.”