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Dundee stars Eilish McColgan and Sam Hickey given heroes’ welcome at City Square celebrations marking Commonwealth Games glory

Eilish McColgan and Sam Hickey appear in Dundee.
Eilish McColgan and Sam Hickey appear in Dundee.

Dundee’s Eilish McColgan and Sam Hickey received a heroes’ welcome as their Commonwealth Games glory was recognised in the city on Sunday.

Locals cheered the sporting champions on as they appeared on the balcony of the City Chambers during a civic reception.

Hosted by Lord Provost Bill Campbell, the event marked the sporting duo’s success in Birmingham.

Distance runner McColgan, 31, won gold in the 10K race as well as bagging silver in the 5,000m.

Hundreds turn out to see sporting heroes

She appeared at the civic reception fresh from the Great Scottish Run where she led the field yet again.

McColgan told The Courier: “It feels so nice, I very rarely get to come home as I’m away so often, so it means a lot.

“My gran is here, and my two best friends from home are outside as they turned up to surprise me.

“I’ve not seen a lot of friends and family in so long so it’s really special.”

She added: “Some kids are here too from my local swimming club which is lovely.

Crowds watch on in the City Square.

“I had the Great Scottish Run this morning. I won the 10k and I broke my personal best and broke a British record so I’m delighted.”

The run marked McColgan’s last this season, and the star is off to enjoy a well earned break in the Seychelles before a trip to Egypt.

Organisers estimated around 150 locals turned out to see the duo.

Eilish and Sam at City Chambers.

Sam Hickey joined McColgan on the balcony for the civic reception.

The 22-year-old middleweight fighter, who hails from Lochee, also brought home a gold medal in his Commonwealth Games debut.

The former St John’s High School pupil is only the second Dundonian to win Commonwealth boxing gold after Dick McTaggart, who was lightweight king in Cardiff in 1958.

Boxer Sam waves from the balcony at City Chambers.

Speaking at the civic reception he told The Courier: “It feels brilliant. Obviously to come back after the games to see people coming out and showing support – it’s an amazing feeling.

“All my friends and family are here. I’ve brought all the troops.

“It’s good to celebrate this kind of stuff with them so they can share the moment with me, because normally when you celebrate at games it’s abroad, so it’s good to have them here.

Hopefully young people look up to me and want to be the next big boxer in Dundee

Sam Hickey

“I said before the games, I obviously want to inspire people, but you have to achieve stuff before you do.

“It’s nice to think hopefully young people are looking up to me and want to be the next big boxer in Dundee.”

The golden duo were joined by friends and family at the civic reception.

The Lord Provost says he was delighted with the turnout and that the crowd “gave a great reception” to the duo.

He spoke of his belief that the success of “inspirational” Dundee sports stars would encourage young people to follow in their footsteps.

Eilish McColgan with Lord Provost Bill Campbell.

He 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.”

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