21
Edinburgh was the
perfect stage for WOC
FORTH VALLEY’S GRACE MOLLOY acquitted
herself well on home ground by finishing sixth
for Team GB in the individual sprint when the
World Orienteering Championships were held
in Edinburgh.
Grace’s achievement was praised by her club
on social media: “A fantastic run for Grace
meant she stepped onto the podium in front of a
home crowd. She was the top performing Brit in
the individual sprint.”
There was also a notable run by Megan
Carter-Davies (Swansea Bay) who narrowly
missed out on a medal in the sprint knock out
final.
The real winner, though, was the capital as
more than 3,000 fans descended to help mark
another successful world sporting event.
Over 250 world class athletes from 45 countries
competed and the inaugural ‘WOC Tour’
participation race also proved a huge success, as
1,200 people from across the orienteering and
Scotland community signed up to take part in
multiple events over the course of five days.
Andy Mitchelmore, Event Director, said: “We
are absolutely delighted at the success of WOC
- I can’t thank everyone enough for making
an unforgettable experience. To see so many
people come out to watch Orienteering in this
fantastic city has been overwhelming. Whether
that has been just to watch the athletes, compete
in our amazing WOC Tour races or to enjoy the
atmosphere, everyone played their part.
“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our
amazingly hard-working staff and all our
volunteers who have worked tremendously hard
and without whom the event would not have
been successful. Also, to all our stakeholders and
commercial partners who have played an
integral role in bringing this event to life. In
particular, Event Scotland, Edinburgh City
Council, British Orienteering Federation,
Scottish Orienteering Association and the
Scottish Orienteering six-day event Company
Ltd for their unwavering support.
“The hope is that we have now created a
legacy for the sport’s future and helped put
orienteering on the map in Scotland.”
Others also praised Edinburgh’s involvement
Eric Liddell
remembered
SUE CATON LIDDELL, (above) who is a
niece of the late Eric Liddell, planted a
rowan tree at Whitehouse and Grange
Bowling Club at the exact time 100 years
previously that the Scottish missionary,
athlete and rugby internationalist won
the Olympic 400 metres title in Paris.
The ceremony took place on 11 July at
2.30pm and 47 seconds.
Eric Liddell’s time was a world record
time of 47.6 seconds, and was all the
more remarkable for having switched
from his regular 100 metres distance as
the heats took place on a Sunday.
The bowling club have established
close ties with the Eric Liddell Community
which works with people who have
dementia and their carers in their
converted church building at Holy Corner.
with the elite event.
Paul Bush OBE, Visit Scotland Director of
Events, who said: “Edinburgh has provided the
perfect stage for the Sprint World Orienteering
Championships 2024. Our capital city has
certainly never seen anything like this before as
athletes raced through our medieval tenements,
narrow and intricate alleys and sweeping
landscapes in search of World Championships
glory. The successful delivery of the Sprint
World Orienteering Championships reinforces
our reputation for delivering innovative and
world-class events “
Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion
Cameron, said: “It has been a delight toEdinburgh streets were perfect backdropRUGBY CHARITY Hearts & Balls has
appointed Graham Fisken, a Senior
Associate at Edinburgh legal firm Turcan
Connell to the Board of Trustees as they
continue to build on the foundations and
expand the reach of the charity.
Hearts & Balls Charitable Trust was
established in 1999 when a player from
Lismore Rugby Club, Edinburgh, suffered a
serious spinal injury that left him
paralysed. Having run a highly successful
appeal, Lismore decided to widen its
support to cover other players impacted
by serious injury or illness. Thus, Hearts +
Balls came into being with the aim of
‘helping rugby help its own’.
Since its beginnings in 1999, they have
donated in the region of £700,000 to rugby
players and their families. Through advice
and advocacy, they also help them identify
and apply for funds from other sources.
Graham is a Chartered Tax Advisor Keen
to bring both his rugby and his legal
knowledge to the table. He represented
Scotland in the HSBC World 7’s 2010-2014.New charity
trustee
welcome, and to watch, the world’s best
orienteers compete in elite sprint races across
our city. Hosting the Sprint World Orienteering
Championships has not only showcased
Edinburgh to the world but also the wonderful,
exciting, outdoor sport of orienteering - the
mental and physical skills it involves, and the
health and wellbeing benefits it offers
participants of all ages and abilities.”
The event has also been hailed as hugely
successful in attracting commercial partners
across the city and beyond. Many of these
provided the base for the event to be a success :
1,500 sandwiches were provided by Scotmid
Co-operative, 2,200 snack bars by Nairn’s, 4,000
water bottles from Actiph Water, 1,500 Sausage
rolls were given to the event from PieSports.
com, Eight kilt sets for ceremonies were also
provided by Gordon Nicolson Kiltmaker, SOS
provided all the essential printing requirements
for the event and Cullen Property also supported
the event throughout. WOC 2024 highlights on http://www.eurovisionsport.
com, the European Broadcasting Union (IBU)’s
new free streaming platform.IOF / Kristina LindgrenTennis tyros Elise, left, and Poppy Thomas,
from the Joppa club, took advantage of a
holiday trip to Ravenna to establish links with
the local tennis academy.
As a consequence of the sisters’ visit the
Italian club known as Tennix Training Centre,
say they are aiming to arrange a team visit to
Edinburgh next year and are looking for some
fixtures.Italians may
come and visit
Sisters Elise (left) and Poppy Thomas