SIR CHRIS HOY has hit back at claims that Team GB is the “English Olympic team” and the other home nations only provide “token” competitors.
The Scottish sports star, a six-time Olympic champion, shot down one of his Twitter followers who made the suggestion this afternoon.
Sir Chris had sent a tweet to his 683,000 followers to say that he was heading to the velodrome to watch the British cyclists prepare for competition.
He said: “Off to see GB at the velodrome this morning. After 4yrs of graft, today’s the final training session before their Games begin. Nearly there!”
One of his followers, @JesuisTamBoyd, replied: “How many token athletes from the other three countries have the English Olympic team got in this event if any ? GB team my a**e.”
The cycling legend, from Edinburgh, took exception to this and replied with a list of top athletes on Team GB who don’t come from England.
He said: “So @elinorbarker @_katiearchibald @CallumSkinner @CiaraHorne1 @owaindoull @MarkCavendish @BeckyJames85 are tokens?”
Fellow Twitter users were quick to share Sir Chris’ opinion of the ill-informed tweet.
@zipperton replied: “Amusing how often people get upset about their own incorrect assumptions!”
@HillyChris said: “Ignore the t*t”.
@flingstam commented: “Do not feed the trolls,” whilst @neilstewart99 appreciated Sir Chris’ comment and said: “Burn!”
Of the athletes Sir Chris listed, Elinor Barker, Ciara Horne, Owain Doull and Becky James are Welsh.
Katie Archibald and Callum Skinner are Scottish whilst sprint cycling star, Mark Cavendish, hails from the Isle of Man.
The world’s top track cyclists will start their pursuit of Olympic glory on Thursday, with British athletes traditionally doing well in the velodrome at recent games.
