As John Prescott outlined plans for a united national football team, the real impact of independence on sport was discussed during a debate at Stirling University.
Former First Minister Henry McLeish led a panel of experts in the Big Sporting Question debate, hosted by the university’s School of Sport.
The audience and invited panellists considered the cost of high performance sport, access to facilities, Scotland’s sporting identity and the role of sport in addressing the nation’s health.
Head of the School of Sport, Professor Leigh Robinson, organised the event, which featured European Championship gold medal winner Brian Whittle, MSP Shona Robison, senior lecturer in sport finance Stephen Morrow and chief executive of Commonwealth Games Scotland Jon Doig.
He said: “As sport is important to so many people in so many ways, it was important that the impact of independence on sport was discussed.
“The discussion highlighted that, no matter what the outcome on September 18, sport will play a role in unifying Scotland going forward.”
Ms Robison outlined the positive impact of independence on sport, saying it would allow Scotland to field its own team at the Olympics and Paralympics.
She added: “Scotland already competes as a nation in a number of sports, such as football, cricket and rugby, but with independence we can represent ourselves across all sports, bringing tremendous opportunity to our athletes.”
Meanwhile Mr Whittle represented the case for staying together.
“The benefit to Scottish sportsmen and women being part of a UK-wide set-up is plain to see,” he said.
“Having access to world class facilities, medical support and the financial back-up that the UK brings has offered incredible opportunities to Scottish sportsmen and women.”