enquiries@badmintonscotland.org.uk September 2011 11 LONDON 2012


theOlympic dream Their fabulous silver-medal performance at


Wembley Arena in theWorld Championships prove that is not just an idle dream. Bankier, 23, is one of Scotland’s best ever


doubles players. She has won eight women’s and mixed Scottish National titles and demonstrated a huge commitment to her sport four years ago when she gave up a law degree at Glasgow University in favour of full-time badminton. She has based herself with the GB squad in


Milton Keynes and her talent was recognised in 2008 when she was taken to the Beijing Olympics as one of those earmarked for 2012. “Going to China was a great experience,’ she admitted. “To get into the badminton arena and


It would be a real lift for Scottish badminton if Egelstaff and one other made the Olympic team.


witness what it is like to play in front of huge crowds. It would be wonderful to be on court next time.” Robert Blair has already experienced one


Olympics . He reached the last 16 of the mixed doubles with England’s NatalieMunt in Athens in 2004. Back then, the Edinburgh-born player was representing England - as he was when he won a silver medal in the men’s doubles with Anthony Clark at the 2006World Championships. It was last winter that Blair, who turned 30 in


August, returned north fromMilton Keynes and elected to regain his Scottish status. First time round, he competed for Scotland at junior and senior level before defecting in 2001 Now back working at the National


Badminton Centre at Scotstoun with coaches Yvette Yun Luo and JohnQuinn, Blair is passing on his valued experience to the younger generation while still harbouring hopes of a secondOlympic appearance. He teamed up with England’s GabbyWhite


early this year and they have produced some great results and have managed to break into the world’s top 30. They remain the outsiders for anOlympic


berth, but certainly haven’t given up hope - and Blair hopes to be fully back in the Scottish fold in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.


Since badminton gained fullOlympic status at


Barcelona in 1992, Anne Robertson (nee Gibson) is the only Scot to have made the GB team. She played in the women’s singles in Atlanta, 1996. So it is long overdue for another Scot to make


the grade.Of course, it has never been easy. Mixing the nationalities for doubles has been one problem - while England has tended to dominate the singles rankings. But Egelstaff has now got the chance to break the mould. It would be a real lift for Scottish badminton if


Egelstaff and one other made the Olympic team. For Egelstaff, it really would be the perfect climax to a wonderful career and - who knows? - she may stay on for Glasgow 2014. For Bankier, it would be a great reward for a


huge level of commitment and, for Blair, it would be the ideal way to cement his return to the Scottish fold. There are still eight long months to go and for


all three there will be stress and strain, highs and lows and many ups and downs before the team is finalised. But all three know that London 2012 is a once in a once in a lifetime opportunity - and something that is open to a very few British sports people. AnOlympic Games is the pinnacle - an


Olympic Games at home is almost beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. But it could be a dream come true.


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