Hoy plea to showcase Scots talent

Hoy was one of Britain's outstanding performers in Beijing

Chris Hoy has conceded that he would be 'proud' to represent a separate Scottish team at the Olympics if the possibility were ever to arise.

But the triple gold medal-winning cyclist says Scotland must improve its sporting facilities before it could begin to consider such a scenario.

"If it came to Scotland representing itself in the Olympic games, I would be very proud to do that," Hoy said.

"But there aren't the facilities in my sport to sustain a national team."

The Edinburgh athlete, 32, reportedly described a separate Scottish team as "ridiculous" in the aftermath of Beijing because of the lack of facilities.

Quizzed on the possibility at a press conference Hoy said: "I would cross that bridge when I came to it.

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"I believe before any calls are made for a Scottish Olympic team, they need to address the lack of facilities, to allow the Scottish athletes to compete at the highest level."

Hoy pointed out that he and fellow Scottish medallists Katherine Grainger, Ross Edgar and David Florence all train outside Scotland, because of the lack of facilities.

"We've got the talent - we've got these athletes - we've got the passion, we just need the opportunities and facilities to make it happen, otherwise you would be banging your head against a brick wall," he added.

"You wouldn't have the chance to compete with anyone if you didn't have 12-months-of-the-year facilities."

Thousands of people lined the streets of Edinburgh on Wednesday to welcome Hoy and his triumphant Scottish team-mates back from the Beijing games.

He won the individual sprint, the team sprint and the keirin to become only the second Briton to win three golds at the same Games after swimmer Henry Taylor did likewise in London in 1908.