Leader Elaine Murray has hailed the “phenomenal” Olympic success of the Team GB squads at the weekend, which include five members from this region.
Speaking at a meeting of councillors today, she praised the men’s and women’s teams for their “dedication to excellence” and for “putting Dumfries and Galloway on the world curling map”.
Four of the silver medal-winning male team are from Dumfries and Galloway, while gold medal winner Vicky Wright was born in Dumfries and her grandparents still live there.
Dr Murray said: “I would just like to congratulate both teams on their historic achievements. The hard work and dedication to excellence that goes into achieving such success is an inspiration not only to everyone living in Dumfries and Galloway, but also across Scotland and the UK.
“We are blessed in Dumfries and Galloway with having excellent curling facilities in Lockerbie, Stranraer and Dumfries Ice Bowl, where I am told the ice is fantastic this week.
“Such facilities, an active schools programme in Curling’s Cool and the close partnership working between Dumfries Curling, Scottish Curling, the many clubs throughout the region and the council give us every chance of building on this success in the decades to come.
“And maybe, in 20 years’ time, there’ll be a new generation of athletes with Olympic dreams, inspired by the exploits of Grant Hardie, Hammy McMillan, Bobby Lammie and Vicky Wright.”
Depute leader Rob Davidson added: “It really is superb to see people many of us know competing on the world stage and bringing gold and silver Olympic medals back home from Beijing to Scotland.”
Meanwhile, the week-long Scottish Curling Championships are taking place in Dumfries until Sunday
For tickets, go to www.ticketsource.co.uk/dumfries-ice-bowl
