THERE are, quite possibly, several Aberdonians who have always wondered how many Olympic gold medal winning rowers can fit into the Snug bar in the city’s oldest hostelry, Ma Cameron’s.
Now they may finally get their answer after Aberdeen was named as host city of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards in December.
Host Gary Lineker may even tweet his appreciation of the city’s famed delicacy, the buttery, just to top off the feel good factor.
It is always an event that is well attended by Britain’s top athletes and a fair few from abroad too. I’m sure it has a pretty lively after-show party, given it is off season for most of them.
The announcement is certainly a feather in the cap for the city and is the latest boost for sport in Scotland, which is increasingly proving to be a world class competitor in a range of events. Well, hosting them at least.
Much has been made of the legacy that Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2014 was meant to provide.
But it is undeniable that providing world-class venues will attract the same calibre of events and athletes, which has proved to be the case in the past five years and is a legacy to be proud of.
Before 2014, Scotland regularly hosted major football matches, rugby matches and the Open Championship, but beyond these there was very little.
Events such as road race cycling, canoeing, gymnastics and triathlons were only ever really viewed by Scots every four years during the Olympics in a far flung city with unknown names battling for the medals.
Once the Games were over, it was back to the staple of football until the next time.
Not now, however, as Scots are regularly viewing world-class athletes in the flesh and attendances are always very healthy and, more importantly, full of children.
This can only be a good thing and while some indicators show Glasgow 2014 did not lead to a massive bounce in participation rates in some sports, rates are rising in others as they are given more exposure.
There is nothing like watching live sport to make children want to take part, so the more events are held in Scotland, regardless of the sport, more youngsters will want to try them.
At a time when football is increasingly becoming financially out of reach for its traditional fan and player base, it offers hope that children now have regular exposure to other events they want to take part in.
While the athletes in Aberdeen will not be competing, just by having them there is sure to spark interest from the city’s youngsters.
Just don’t stand behind them in the Snug afterwards and expect to get served quickly.
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