By Nick Butler

Scotland hopes to be able to compete at Rio 2016 if the country votes for independence later this year ©Getty ImagesFindings of a report claiming Scottish athletes could choose whether to represent Scotland or Great Britain at Rio 2016, if the country votes for independence later this year, have been questioned by International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president Sir Craig Reedie.


The report, compiled by former Labour First Minister Henry McLeish for the Scottish Government, concluded there were "no obvious barriers" to Scotland competing at the Games in the Rio Olympics.

But Sir Craig, the chairman of the British Olympic Association from 1992 to 2005 who was born in Stirling, doubted this was achievable and suggested an independent Scotland would first need to gain membership of the United Nations. 

Rule 30 of the Olympic Charter states that a country can only form a National Olympic Committee if it is "an independent state recognised by the international community".

"I really don't know how long it takes an independent nation to get membership," Sir Craig told the BBC.

"Gaining membership of the United Nations, historically and politically, is not always an easy thing but there must be a process and it must take some time.

"Entries close for the Olympics in July of 2016 so I think it would be a real rush.

"Presumably a Scottish Olympic Committee would wish to have its own qualifying standards, so there would be a lot to do.

"I'm not sure it could be achieved in the time limit."

IOC vice-president and former British Olympic Association chairman Sir Craig Reedie has cast doubt over whether Scotland will be able to compete at Rio 2016 even if they vote for independence ©Getty ImagesIOC vice-president and former British Olympic Association chairman Sir Craig Reedie has cast doubt over whether Scotland will be able to compete at Rio 2016 even if they vote for independence ©Getty Images

The report follows the appointment of a Working Group on Scottish Sport appointed last September to examine the development of sport in an independent Scotland.

Over six months, the group considered a range of topics including the action required to ensure Scotland can be successful in future Olympics and Paralympics in its own right, as well as the steps required to ensure it remains a country of "sporting excellence".

"While the final decisions on such matters will lie with the IOC and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and there is an application process, we see no obvious or major barriers to securing Olympic and Paralympic accreditation for an independent Scotland," McLeish said at the end of the report. 

"The Scottish Government should have very early dialogue, in advance of the referendum, with the IOC and IPC in order to clearly demonstrate the maturity and history of Scotland as a sporting nation, its status as a fair and just society and its readiness to engage in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.

"There are however, likely to be challenges to putting in place the necessary support to entice athletes currently training within the Team GB infrastructure to compete for Scotland, specifically with team sports.

"The group believes Scotland can build on the approach already in place that supports athletes up to Commonwealth Games level and therefore this places Scotland in a strong position."

The referendum on Scottish independence from the rest of the United Kingdom is due to take place on September 18.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond is leading calls for Scotland to go independent in September ©Getty ImagesScotland's First Minister Alex Salmond is leading calls for Scotland to go independent in September ©Getty Images



It is feared that the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow may be subject to campaigning by both sides, although politicians and Games organisers have insisted this will not detract from the sporting focus of the Games.  

A reaction to the report has also been provided by the Better Together campaign, which are fighting against Scotland going independent, agreeing with the sentiments provided by Sir Craig.

"As part of Team GB, Scotland has the chance to shine on the global stage," a spokesman told the BBC.

"The 2012 Olympics showed what we can achieve when we work together across the whole of the UK.

"As the vice-president of the IOC has said, setting up a new Olympic team in a matter of months that is ready to compete in 2016 simple isn't credible.

"As with everything in this referendum, the nationalists simply tell us that it will be alright on the night.

"As part of the UK we can have the best of both worlds - we can cheer on our Scottish athletes to Olympic glory, and we can benefit from being part of the larger Team GB.

"Only separation puts that at risk."

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