With the turn of the year approaching, cue headlines about 2020 vision as the Tokyo Olympics come into view.
The pinnacle of many international sports arrives in the world’s grandest multi-event showpiece, to be held in the Japanese capital during the summer.
For many sportspeople, the last four years have been geared towards this. For some it may even be the culmination of a life’s work, if qualification has eluded them in years past or the end of their careers are approaching.
It comes two years after the Commonwealth Games in Australia, where a strong north-east contingent played a huge role in racking up Scotland’s medal tally.
Aberdeen’s Paralympian Neil Fachie added to his collection with two gold medals, while swimmer Hannah Miley and Neil Stirton (shooting) brought home silvers.
Cuminestown cyclist Neah Evans, a strong medal contender for Tokyo, scooped a silver and bronze at her first Games, while Mark Dry (hammer), John Docherty (boxing) and Robbie Simpson (marathon) all returned home with bronze medals.
Some of those may bring home medals from the Far East. Fachie is a machine when competition time comes around, with 13 world titles to his name and three Paralympic medals already in the bag.
Evans has used her double Commonwealth Games success as a platform to become a pivotal cog in British Cycling’s women’s team pursuit squad. Her partnership with fellow Scot Katie Archibald has been pivotal to the team’s 2019 success.
Miley is another with a glut of medals over a glittering career, including two Commonwealth golds in 2010 and 2014. She has spoken recently of her desire to try make a fourth Olympics.
Banchory runner Simpson, who picked up bronze in the searing Gold Coast heat last year, needs to hit a qualifying time of 2:11:20 to earn an Olympic berth. Mintlaw’s Kim Little is a strong contender to make the Team GB football squad, while swimmer Toni Shaw is a Paralympic medal contender.
British Rowing’s Alan Sinclair, from the Black Isle and a former University of Aberdeen student, could make his second Olympics after narrowly missing out on a medal in Rio four years ago. Judoka Stuart McWatt, from Inverurie, could make his Games debut with a promising start to 2020.
There are probably more I’ve missed that have a shot at global success next year and, while the qualifying standards will be raised – athletes are qualifying for Great Britain rather than Scotland – the north of Scotland promises to have strong representation.
The next few months will be the most intense of some athletes’ careers, as competition ramps up. Such are the demands of elite level sport, that some will get the dreaded call that they did not make the cut.
All the best to those with Olympic ambitions in the New Year. Make it a year to remember.
