Allister Hogg admits he is backing Chris Hoy to bring home the gold tomorrow (Friday) and says he is looking forward to congratulate him properly at a forthcoming Edinburgh Rugby match.
Edinburgh and Scotland back rower Hogg, 25, is a cycling enthusiast and also shares the same agent as rugby fan Hoy, who is set to defend his sprint crown at the Laoshan Velodrome.
As a result, Hogg says he is planning to invite Hoy to a forthcoming Magners League match at Murrayfield where the world champion cyclist can hopefully show off his latest gong.
Hogg said: “I’ve met Chris a couple of times and I wish him the very best for Friday; he is the top cyclist in the world.
“He is also an inspiration to all Scottish sportsmen with the amount of time and dedication he has put into his sport."
“What he has done so far has been fantastic and hopefully he can bring back the gold.
“We’ve spoken at a Scotland match in the past, so it would be good if he could come along to an Edinburgh game in the near future and receive a hero’s welcome.”
Hogg revealed he starts the day by cycling into training at Murrayfield and that he has already got a decent memento of Hoy’s career; a signed Great Britain jersey.
He added: “I cycle into work most days when it is not raining and it is something that I enjoy.
“My girlfriend’s Dad owns a cycle shop in Stirling and I managed to get one of Chris’s Great Britain jerseys framed for him; it now has pride of place on the wall of the shop.”
Edinburgh are preparing for their first pre-season friendly against English champions, London Wasps at Murrayfield on Saturday, 23 August (kick off 2.30pm).
And Hogg says the game promises to be an exciting curtain raiser and ideal preparation for the team’s first Magners League match against Munster on Friday 5 September, kick off 7.30pm.
He said: “Wasps are one of the most successful teams in Europe with some top quality players so it should be a tough test.
“But it will be a great way for us to measure just how far we’ve come over the summer before our match against Munster.”
