Peeblesshire News | Sport | Adopt a nation

Friday, 25th July, 2008

Published: Friday, 14th March, 2008 10:00

Adopt a nation

By David Knox

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AN APPEAL has gone out to local schools to fly the flag for some lesser-known nations at the forthcoming IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

Scottish Athletics have already teamed up almost 50 countries competing in Edinburgh later this month with schools and running clubs.

But the only Borders adoptee so far is Gala Harriers Athletics Club – who will be shouting on USA – and organizers hope some Peeblesshire primaries will pick up the pace.

A spokeswoman said: “We still have around 30 nations who are competing at the World Championships without an adoptee.

“We want each nation to be fully supported when they compete.”

Most of the leading African and European nations have already been adopted.

But many of the lesser-known athletics countries such as Kazakhstan, Palestine Turkmenistan, Venezuela and Djibouti are looking for backers.

Each school that adopts a nation will receive a fact sheet about their country, have their self-made supporters banner displayed in the Athletes Village, be allowed to nominate a child to carry the country’s national flag at the opening ceremony, and have full access to the Sports Carnival on March 30.

And a prize is on offer to the loudest supporters.

Katie Horne from Scottish Athletics told us: “There is still time to register a club or school for the Adopt-a-Nation project.

“We have £500 on offer for the loudest and most colourful group of supporters on the day.”

Hundreds of the world’s leading distance runners will line up at Holyrood on Sunday, March 30.

To adopt a country email Katie-horne@scottishathletics.org.uk

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