Callum's on the right track to echo hero Hoy's success

SCHOOLBOY cycling star Callum Skinner is following in the tyre treads of Olympic legend Chris Hoy, picking up an award at the same ceremony as his hero.

While the four-time Olympic gold medal winner was presented with a commemorative trophy from Edinburgh City Council for his historic achievements yesterday, Callum made history himself by becoming the first ever recipient of the Chris Hoy Trophy.

The youngster, who Hoy said could one day be his team-mate, said receiving the award felt "phenomenal".

"Chris Hoy is an amazing athlete and to be recognised by him is awesome," he said.

"He visited Meadowbank and he would always give a few tips. Footballers and rugby players tend to be a bit more removed so to have a sporting hero you can communicate with is much better."

Currently studying for his Highers at James Gillespie's High School, Callum still trains for three hours a day, six days a week, making the 220 mile journey to Manchester to train with Hoy's coaches every other weekend.

Callum is also echoing Hoy's call for better cycling facilities in the Capital. He said: "Ever since the Olympics there have been 30 or 40 kids showing up for track sessions but we have lost that because the track is shut for winter.

"We sometimes train on Portobello Promenade but you get in the way and one guy nearly got run over by a van.

"Until we get a new facility up here we will keep travelling to Manchester at weekends."

Callum celebrated his 16th birthday in style in August when he sliced more than a tenth of a second from the British record at the British Junior and Youth Track Cycling Championships.

His achievements have not gone unnoticed by Olympic star Hoy. He said: "I have been following Callum's career. He is super talented and has got the right attitude.

"He has a very promising career ahead of him.

"I plan to go on for four more years, and maybe the Commonwealth Games in 2014, so we could be team-mates."

Hoy, who has been invited to sing on a charity single for Children In Need, has also revealed that one of his ambitions when he retires is to help obese Scots lose weight, it was reported today.

One of his gold medals was also sporting a dent after someone who was supposed to be looking after it at the Great North Run in Newcastle dropped it.

Callum received his award at a civic reception held at Edinburgh City Council's Lothian Buildings to honour the city's Olympians and Paralymipians.

Lord Provost, George Grubb, presented commemorative trophies to Edinburgh's 20 competitors. He told the athletes: "You have done the city proud."

The council's culture and leisure convener, Deidre Brock added: "Olympic fever really can galvanise the people of Scotland and hopefully inspire a new generation of stars."