How an Independent Scotland may not be allowed a team at 2016 Olympics

Britain’s most senior Olympic figure, Sir Craig Reedie, said that a ‘yes’ vote would cause divided loyalties over sports funding.

17:59 12 September 2014

Sir Craig Reedie, Britain’s most senior Olympic figure, has claimed that an independent Scotland may not be allowed to have a team at the next Olympics. He said that a ‘yes’ vote would cause divided loyalties and concerns over sports funding.

Sir Craig is vice-president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), president of the World Anti- Doping Agency and was chairman of the British Olympic Association at the time of London’s 2012 Games bid.

Head of policy James Allen said: ‘Irrespective of the outcome, there are going to be changes, even if there is greater devolution.

‘If there is a Yes vote, the biggest and most immediate change would be the potential creation of a Team Scotland and the end of Team GB as we know it.

‘The second big area of concern and anxiety is funding. UK Sport supports a large number of athletes in Scotland, but we don’t know what would happen there.

'Is lottery funding going to stop at the Border? The uncertainty is not helpful when athletes want to be focusing on training for competition.’