Scotland's Commonwealth, World and Olympic cycling champion Chris Hoy was named Outstanding Male Athlete on Thursday night in Glasgow, at the 27th Commonwealth Sports Dinner sponsored by Clydesdale Bank.

Chris was among eight of the Commonwealth's top sportsmen and women honoured for outstanding performances in 2007 across a range of award categories.  The ceremony was held in front of a discerning international sporting audience attending the 2nd Commonwealth Sports Development Conference, also in Glasgow.
 
Hoy had been narrowly beaten to the Outstanding Male Athlete title in 2006 by Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell. But with Chris claiming two gold and one silver medal at the World Championships and three out of three possible gold medals at the World Cup in Manchester, 2007 must rank amongst his most successful seasons to date.

This was complemented further when he set the world record for the 500m flying start at altitude in Bolivia last May.

In the Outstanding Female Athlete category Australia's queen of the pool Libby Lenton took top honours. She had dominated the 12th FINA World Championships in Melbourne winning gold in three individual and two relay events to become the most successful female swimmer ever at a world championship.

Congratulating the winners, event founder Al Hamilton MBE said: "I would like to offer my congratulations to all our winners announced tonight and indeed to the other worthy nominees, many of whom are with us tonight. It was a difficult job for the judges, with more high quality nominations than ever before received for this, our 27th Commonwealth Sports Awards. I would also like to thank our sponsors Clydesdale Bank, and Glasgow City Council for their tremendous support."

Other Winners

Outstanding Male Elite Athlete with Disability: Kurt Fearnley (Australia, marathon)

Female Elite Athlete with Disability: joint winners: Danielle Brown (England, Archery) & Karolina Pelendritou (Cyprus, swimming)

Outstanding Young Achiever: Kelsey Cottrell  (Australia, lawn bowls)

Most Outstanding Team: South Africa Rugby (World Cup Winners 2007)

Lifetime Achievement Award: William 'Billy' Stewart (Northern Ireland, cycling)
 
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Image of Chris Hoy courtesy of Rob Eyton-Jones