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University of Stirling Guard of Honour welcomes Olympic Torch

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The Olympic flame passes campus
Members of the University of Stirling’s Olympic Torch Guard of Honour celebrating as the Olympic flame passed campus

The University of Stirling held a special guard of honour celebration as the Olympic flame passed the campus during the penultimate day of its tour of Scotland.

Students and staff from Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence sported the colours of the Olympic rings and formed a guard of honour as the torch passed the campus.

Physical Education graduand Thomas McCulloch roused the spirits of the crowd by playing the bagpipes, as Jillian Hamilton carried the flame and passed it to fellow torchbearer Vicky Jack for its journey through Bridge of Allan.

Barbara Kettlewell, Administrator in the School of Sport, who was selected for the official guard of honour said: “The atmosphere today is fantastic and it was great to get the chance to join colleagues and catch a glimpse of the Olympic Torch.

“I am proud to belong to a University which values sport so highly and the guard of honour gave me the opportunity to really feel part of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Psychology and Sports Studies student Scott McCowan, part of national sports scholarship programme Winning Students, will represent Great Britain in Boccia at the Paralympic Games in London.

Also competing in the Olympic Games are Stirling graduates Susan Egelstaff in badminton and triathlete Gavin Noble, while swimmer Rob Bale is based on campus at the British Swimming Intensive Training Centre.

Additionally, the University’s sports facilities will provide a Pre-Games Olympic Training Camp venue in July for international competitors.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gerry McCormac, also watched the flame’s progress past the University.

He said: “The University of Stirling has a world-class reputation for sport, through its research and innovative programmes and also for preparing high calibre athletes to compete on the world stage. We are delighted to commemorate this historic occasion and show our support for the Games.”

In recent days, the Olympic torch has provided inspiration to crowds in cities, towns and villages across Scotland, travelling everywhere from Glasgow to Inverness and from Stornoway to Lerwick.

On 9 June, Psychology student and Winning Students recipient Martin Cremin, a former British youth swimming champion, carried the Olympic torch in Crianlarich.

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