In her latest article for The Edinburgh Evening News, Independent Lothians MSP Margo MacDonald argues in favour of keeping athletics and sports facilities at Meadowbank.
To produce medal winners, there has to be as big a talent reservoir as possible. To produce that, as many people as possible must take part in sport and exercise, and coaching qualifications must be as accessible as possible.
This is the basic argument in favour of community athletics and sports training facilities being retained at Meadowbank. Additional to the health and welfare benefit to the whole population, a bigger pool of participants is bound to yield a greater number of potential winners.
Olympians Allan Wells and Steve Cram have also expressed support for saving Meadowbank.
Allan Wells: “I support the Save Meadowbank campaign and I am against its demolition. It is sad that Meadowbank is earmarked for future housing.
“It certainly played a major part in my life as an athlete. Without it, I would never have gone on to win an Olympic gold medal.”
Steve Cram: “I don’t [know] why they can’t refurbish local facilities that appear to be well-used. Obviously, the local authority has its own plans, but it is disappointing when a facility such as Meadowbank isn’t replaced like for like.”
