Let's be honest, the best place to be when Scottish cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy picked up his historic sixth gold medal to become, undisputedly, Britain's greatest ever Olympian was the Velodrome itself where the magical moment took place in front of a deafening home crowd.

However, a close second was the London 2012 Scotland House in Pall Mall, where Glasgow 2014 was hosting a special evening to celebrate its hosting of the Commonwealth Games in two years' time – and where I was in attendance.

As per usual with such a function, speeches came from high-profile dignitaries such as Glasgow 2014 chairman Lord Smith and the leader of Glasgow City Council, Gordon Matheson, but, unsurprisingly, everything stopped just after 6pm as the 36-year-old Scottish hero lined up in the keirin final for his date with destiny.

As the action got under way you could hear a pin drop...

At Scotland House it soon began to feel like the defending Olympic and four-times world champion wanted to make things agonising for his supporters as he hit the front with a lap to go before being overtaken by Germany's Maximilian Levy on the back straight.

There was an audible gasp from his Scotland House supporters as it appeared momentarily as though the unthinkable had happened to Sir Chris on what would be his farewell appearance at the Olympic Games.

Sir Chris Hoy (red helmet) on his way to an historic sixth Olympic gold in the keirin

However, the great man produced a superhuman effort round the final bend to snatch the victory and bring his Olympic medal haul to six golds and a silver, surpassing rower Sir Steve Redgrave's collection of five gold medals and a bronze.

As Sir Chris crossed the winning line Scotland House simply erupted with jumping, clapping and hugging that made this Englishman feel almost out of place.

Yes, Sir Chris is a Brit, the greatest ever Brit at the Olympics, but he is firstly a Scot and that means something extra special to the people of that nation.

If it was to be the end of his Olympic career, what an ending it was, and it was Lord Smith who led the tributes at Scotland House.

Supporters at Scotland House watch TV pictures of an emotional Sir Chris Hoy on the podium

"Sir Chris Hoy is unbelievable, what an absolute hero to win six gold medals," he said to cheers from everyone at the venue.

"Ultimately we talk about inspiring youth and a generation but I think this is about inspiring Scotland and the UK behind sport, and he is helping us do that.

"All we want now is for him to be on the track at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome for the Commonwealth Games and win the gold medal there in front of his home crowd."

Shona Robison, Scotland's Minister for the Commonwealth Games and Sport, who arrived at Scotland House straight from the Velodrome, was equally full of praise.

"Sir Chris Hoy is now Scotland and Britain's greatest ever Olympian and an icon to millions across the world," she beamed.

"It's absolutely incredible what he has done here tonight and throughout his career, and everyone back in Scotland is extremely proud of him.

Lord Smith (right) paid tributes to Sir Chris Hoy describing him as "an absolute hero"

"Scottish athletes have now won seven golds at these Olympics and Sir Chris Hoy's triumph crowns an extremely long list of titles and world records.

"The noise in the Velodrome was just unbelievable – no-one representing Team GB has ever won six golds before, and we have never had a sportsman like him."

But almost as emotional as the winning moment itself was seeing Sir Chris on the podium in floods of tears as he collected the sixth Olympic gold medal of his career.

There was barely a dry eye at Scotland House, too, as he wept while the Union Jack was raised, cementing his status as a true legend.

But while it was the end of an era for Sir Chris at the Olympics, there is still one more goal for him and it was fitting to hear his words as I stood with the Glasgow 2014 contingent at Scotland House.

"I'm 99.9 per cent sure I won't be competing in Rio [2016]," he affirmed.

"How can you top this?

"The 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is another question, though, as that would be the dream ending for me."

The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow will be opened later this year

It certainly would given that the cycling track in Glasgow has fittingly been named the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.


With its permanent viewing capacity of 2,500 plus an additional 2,000 temporary seats for Glasgow 2014, what a moment that would be if Sir Chris could bow out with gold for Scotland at his own Commonwealth Games in his own velodrome in the city.

The velodrome will open in October this year and whispers are already beginning to suggest that the legend himself will be there to launch the facility named in his honour.

But that is a different story for a different day.

For now, it is Sir Chris' time in the Olympic spotlight and he has done Britain, and particularly Scotland, very proud.

Tom Degun is a reporter for insidethegames. To follow him on Twitter click here.