Dundee’s gold medal winning heroes Eilish McColgan and Sam Hickey will be welcomed home with a City Square celebration this weekend.
Distance runner McColgan, 31, won gold in the 10,000m race as well as bagging silver in the 5,000m at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer.
Lochee middleweight fighter Hickey, 22, won boxing gold in what was his debut appearance at the games.
A civic reception will be held on Sunday at Dundee City Council’s City Chambers to honour their achievements at 2pm.
Balcony appearance for Dundee stars
Supporters will get the chance to see the pair and celebrate with them when when they make an appearance from the balcony which overlooks Dundee’s main public square.
Lord Provost Bill Campbell said: “The nation was thrilled to see Eilish and Sam excel on such a prestigious stage as the Commonwealth Games this summer.
“It is fitting that the city of Dundee recognises their achievements and gives people the chance to share in the moment as well.
“Their exploits were seen by millions across the world but nowhere celebrated like Dundee, the city where these athletes put in the hard yards and the training needed to help them get on and win gold medals.”
Hickey was named the Best Male Boxer of the 2022 Commonwealth Games after winning four bouts in eight days on his way to gold in August.
SAM HICKEY IS A COMMONWEALTH CHAMPION! 🤩🏴
He makes history for Scotland and doesn't he know it. The scenes!#BBCCWG pic.twitter.com/zkaERf16p3
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 7, 2022
The former St John’s High School pupil overcame Australia’s Callum Peters in the 75kg match-up.
He is only the second Dundonian to win Commonwealth boxing gold after Dick McTaggart, who was lightweight king in Cardiff in 1958.
Meanwhile McColgan, whose mum Liz also won gold at the Commonwealth Games in 1986 and 1990, clinched her first major title.
The former Dundee High School pupil held off Kenya’s Irene Cheptai in a victory hailed by some of Britain’s sporting legends.
And the Lord Provost spoke of his pride at the Dundee pair’s achievements.
He said: “I also wish them every success in their ongoing careers.
“Eilish and Sam are inspirational figures and I am sure that their success will encourage young people across the city to follow in their footsteps.
“I would encourage as many people as possible to come down to the City Square on Sunday to give them a rousing Dundee reception!”
Other figures to receive such a welcome to the City Chambers include Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh in 2016.
The pair opened Slessor Gardens and were given a tour of the city before appearing on the balcony to wave at the thousands gathered.
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