Salute our Olympic and Paralympic stars

25 Oct 2021

Fans attending Scotland’s first home rugby international in 19 months at BT Murrayfield this weekend will have the added bonus of cheering Scotland’s Olympic and Paralympic heroes from the summer’s Tokyo Games at the opening match of the Autumn Nations Series against Tonga.

Scots from Team GB who competed in the Tokyo games of both disciplines earlier this summer will be given a parade of honour at half-time in Scotland’s largest stadium to mark their performances and to allow the Scottish public to acknowledge their inspirational endeavours, especially given the lack of crowds able to watch in person in Japan.

Among the stars who supporters will have the chance to acclaim are Olympic Champion swimmer Duncan Scott who won a gold and three silvers and cyclist Katie Archibald who has added a magnificent World Championship gold and silver medal in the last few days to her Olympic gold and silver.

Her fellow cyclist Jack Carlin who took silver in the men’s team sprint and bronze in the men’s sprint and Paralympic gold medal winners Neil Fachie (track cycling) and Owen Miller (men’s 1500m T20) will also be part of the parade which will feature more than 30 Olympians and Paralympians.

Scots from the men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams including Robbie Fergusson and Hannah Smith will also join the parade.

The athletes’ families and friends will be there too to see Scotland open our Autumn campaign which kicks-off at 2.30pm.

A Scottish Rugby spokesperson said: “We were all thrilled by the sporting excellence we saw from Team GB at both the Olympics and Paralympics, and we wanted to do as we’ve done on many occasions before at BT Murrayfield and allow our fans to salute the Scottish athletes who were a big part of that success.

“This year, when they had to compete behind closed doors in Tokyo because of the pandemic, will make the roar of the BT Murrayfield crowd as they are introduced a really special moment and one they so richly deserve.

“And it’s great their family and friends will be there to hear it too.”

Scotland’s Autumn Nations Series match against Japan next month is also now sold out, meaning the games against Australia, South Africa and Japan will all be played in front of capacity crowds.

The only chance fans now have to see Gregor Townsend’s team in action at BT Murrayfield this autumn is against Tonga this Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm). Tickets start from £16 for adults and £11 for U18s and students, with U12s tickets only £1 and can be purchased at scottishrugby.org.