The 44 athletes who will represent Scotland at third Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India from 11-18th October 2008 were announced yesterday (Thursday).

Amongst the team members are some familiar names with strong links to Commonwealth Games success.

The McColgan dynasty lives on, with the daughter of 1991 World 10,000m athletics champion Liz McColgan, Eilish, qualifying for the 1500m, whilst Lynsey Sharp, daughter of Commonwealth Games gold medallist Cameron and representative  Carol Sharp, will compete in the 800m.

In smallbore-rifle-shooting, Jennifer McIntosh, the daughter of multiple Commonwealth Games medallist Shirley and father Donald a representative in two Games, will also be representing her country.

Based on previous Youth Games results, it is anticipated that many of the Scottish athletes, all of whom are under 18 years of age, who compete and win medals in Pune will go on to compete for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010 and Glasgow 2014 and for Team GB in London 2012 when they should be at their competitive peak.

Previous Youth Games medallists, swimmers Kirsty Balfour, Todd Cooper, Andrew Hunter, Robbie Renwick, Hannah Miley and gymnast Daniel Keatings, were amongst 12 Youth Games athletes who went on to compete  and win medals in Melbourne in 2006 and this summer were selected for Team GB at the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Making the team announcement today, Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “Many congratulations to the 44 athletes named today. l am confident that we have selected an outstanding Youth Games Team to compete in Pune, with the standards continuing to rise with every Games cycle.

“Whilst winning medals is important, the major benefit of the Commonwealth Youth Games is exposing young athletes to this level of competition in a multi-sport environment. It is the ideal preparation event for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010 and Glasgow in 2014.”

Congratulating the team, Stewart Maxwell, Minister for Communities and Sport said: “As they fly the flag for Scotland at the Commonwealth Youth Games in India, these young athletes carry the hopes and good wishes of a nation.
“Getting this far, they have each demonstrated outstanding effort, and dedication in pursuit of personal excellence.
“The Commonwealth Youth Games will provide competition experience and, hopefully, a stepping stone for our young stars as they eye the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010, and on home soil, in Glasgow in 2014.

COMMONWEALTH YOUTH GAMES, PUNE 2008 – SELECTED ATHLETES

Athletics (10)
Lisa Glover, Glenrothes
Caitlyn Mackie, Airth
Eilish McColgan, Carnoustie
Myra Perkins, Falkirk
Beth Potter, Bearsden, Glasgow, WSIS
Lynsey Sharp, Edinburgh, TFIS
Daniel Carlin, Barrhead
Chris O’Hare, West Linton
Calum Innes, Bearsden, Glasgow
Callum Sharp, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow

Badminton (4)
Martin Campbell, Edinburgh, ESIS
Angus Gilmour, Troon, WSIS
Craig Pollock, Longniddry, ESIS
Paul Van Rietvelde, Longniddry, ESIS

Boxing (6)
Sean Finney, Kirkcaldy
Steven McAllister, Aberdeen
Robert McKee, Fauldhouse
Jonathan Slowey, Glasgow, WSIS
Ryan Smith, Glasgow
Josh Taylor, Prestonpans

Shooting (5)
Kay Copland, Banff
Catriona McGregor, Aberdeen, GIS
Jennifer McIntosh, Falkirk, CSIS
Rory McAlpine, Lasswade, Midlothian, ESIS
Ben Wilson, Islay, WSIS

Swimming (10)
Lucy Ellis, Dalgety Bay, ESIS
Sara Hamilton, Stonehaven
Megan Gilchrist, Bathgate, SIS
Robyn Mathews, Edinburgh, ESIS
Sally Wood, Edinburgh, ESIS
Ewan Johnstone, Edinburgh
Andrew Haslett, Edinburgh, SIS
Iain Scanlon, Shotts, ESIS
Daniel Scott, Glenrothes, SIS
Douglas Scott, Strathaven,WSIS

Table Tennis (2)
 raig Howieson, Edinburgh
Craig Hardie, Glasgow

Weightlifting  (3)
Amy Hamilton, Glasgow
James Burley, Kilwinning       
Dylan Scott, Kilwinning

Wrestling (4)
Gareth Jones, Old Kilpatrick
Keiran Malone, Cumbernauld
Craig McKenna, Clydebank 
Connor Evans, Denny

Athletes supported by: Scottish Institute of Sport (SIS), West of Scotland Institute of Sport (WSIS), Central Scotland Institute of Sport (CSIS), East of Scotland Institute of Sport, Grampian Institute of Sport (GIS), Tayside and Fife Institute of Sport.