LIKE many people I imagine, I have found myself staying up late over the past few weeks watching the Olympics, tuning into any sport that may be on and becoming an armchair expert almost instantly. From fencing to the new addition of skateboarding plus everything in between it has been enthralling to see Team GB smash records, make history and win quite a few medals along the way.

Seeing Tom Daley finally get his hands on a gold medal, alongside his diving partner Matty Lee, brought a smile to my face. And after competing at four Olympics, you could see just how much it meant to him. Over in the swimming pool it was incredible to watch as Scotland’s own Duncan Scott picked up his 4th medal of the Tokyo Games to make him the most successful British Olympian at a single Olympic Games and we know there is still time for more medals to be added to Team GB’s tally.

One victory which I was especially pleased to see was Bethany Shriever who picked up the first ever Olympic gold in women’s BMX racing. I saw Bethany race back in 2018 in my ward when Glasgow hosted the European Championships, it was then that I found out more about the devastating funding cuts which have been made to women’s BMX and the persistence of athletes like Bethany who had to take on a part time job as a teaching assistant to get her to Tokyo. I truly hope her win will secure future funding for her and her sport.

This Olympics has given us real reason to celebrate, we have seen hard work, persistence and determination rewarded. But there is no doubt that there has been a more serious side of this Olympics, highlighting the drastic inequalities between sports when it comes to funding and the immense mental pressures on athletes from around the world to make it to compete at this level. The most notable example being US gymnast and world champion, Simone Biles, who withdrew from several of her events to focus on her mental health, whilst most people understood and respected the fact that she was putting her wellbeing first it still didn’t stop the abuse from certain sections of social media. Proving that we still have much more to do.

Core to Glasgow’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games was a focus on legacy. We saw young people from across our city inspired to try their hand at a new sport or take their skills further. Seven years later and the next generation of young Glaswegians will be tuned into these Olympics in Tokyo and are potentially feeling the exact same way.

It is on us to ensure we are always striving to break down the barriers in sports, doing all we can to ensure there are spaces to train in and future proof facilities whilst putting emphasis on our belief that access to sport should be there for everyone and anyone who wants to take part.

Sadly, we know that community and sporting venues across our city are still under threat, with many still waiting for re-opening dates. So, as we watch the successes of Team GB in Tokyo, it’s the action we take back in Glasgow to support that next generation of sporting champions that really matters.