One is a privately educated, sports science graduate whose extraordinary strength and power have earned him an MBE and a total of four Olympic gold medals. The other is a survivor of the Dunblane massacre, whose competitiveness was born out of an early desire to beat his older brother on the tennis court.

Their early lives were poles apart, but in 2008 Chris Hoy and Andy Murray have both risen to the top of their chosen sport, and triggered what could in time be seen as a resurgence of Scottish sport at a timely interval, with Glasgow's 2014 Commonwealth Games already looming increasingly large.

The images of Murray winning through to the U.S Open final and Hoy standing on top of the Olympic podium in Beijing have held huge audiences capitivated over the last few months, but if they are to represent the start of a golden era in Scottish sport, the general concensus is that the real work begins here.

To inspire an entire generation is a feat not many sportsmen can lay claim to, but Hoy's incredible performances in China arguably helped him achieve this, and he says it's something he relishes. "I think it's one of the best spin-offs of achieving success in your sport; to be able to make a difference for future generations," he admits. "I am delighted if any young athlete can take inspiration from my actions."

Since his return from Beijing, where his three gold medal successes led to him carrying the Union Jack in the closing ceremony, Hoy has been tipped to receive a knighthood after retirement, having already been awarded an MBE in 2005.

The velodrome for the 2014 Games will be named after him and he is an ambassador for the London Olympics in 2012. However, despite these and countless other honours that continue to come his way, Hoy says the main rewards come from inspiring potential stars of the future.

"They have to know that they can access the same support system, the same facilities and the same backup as their role model," he says of young athletes. "They then know that it is up to them and a lot of hard work to achieve their dreams. It is the bottom line."

One of those athletes who is well on the way to achieving their dreams is taekwondo European Champion Dan Briggs. At 20, Briggs is a year younger than Andy Murray and has already amassed an impressive collection of titles. Originally from Dunfermline, he has been ranked as high as number two in the world, and says that watching the success stories of Hoy and Murray unfold is of huge benefit.

"To see your countrymen perform to such a level not only inspires, but also gives a sense of pride," says Briggs. "For them both to be top in the world is a massive boost for the country."

In an era where sports stars seem to hit the headlines for the wrong reasons all too often, Briggs says that it is their conduct away from the competitive arena which makes Murray and Hoy as such positive role models for Scottish youngsters: "Not only are they both intelligent, highly motivated and great achievers, but they do it with passion and a sense of fair play." Despite Murray's occassionally tense relationship with the media, Briggs says the Glasgow-born world number four is a figure that young players can aspire to. "His performances this year, particularly in the U.S Open, mean he is an icon," he says. "He is a true asset to our country, a true champion."

Time will tell if the effect of Hoy and Murray's success stories will lead to any other champions emerging before 2014, but the influence of Hoy and Murray's achievements stretch far wider than the international sports arena, claims a Scottish Government spokeswoman.

"We believe the dedication, drive and determination shown by athletes such as Chris Hoy and Andy Murray will not only provide encouragement to other athletes but also inspire many ordinary men, women and children to take up a sport and make healthier, positive changes to their lifestyle," she says. "These are changes the Scottish Government is keen to support, and which we have backed up with record investment in sportscotland of £134 million over the next three years."

Investment such as this will be crucial as the Scottish team try to improve on their respectable sixth place in the medal table at the last Commonwealth Games, held in Melbourne in 2006. The eleven gold medals won in Australia was the highest total achieved by a Scottish team since the Games took on their current incarnation in 1978, and the Government are keen to stress how impressive the current state of Scottish sport is. " As a small country, we already punch above our weight and produce champions in a range of sports," says the spokeswoman.

"As we prepare for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, we have every confidence Scotland can look forward to further success inspired by the historic achievements of Andy Murray and our athletes in Beijing. Scotland will continue cheering on all our sportsmen and women with great pride and of course, very high hopes."

CB
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