Salmond Hails 'Medal Avalanche'

Team Scotland has been hailed for the medal avalanche'' which has turned Glasgow 2014 into a record-breaking Games for the hosts. Halfway through the 11-day competition, Scottish athletes have already earned 34 medals - surpassing the 33 won at the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh in 1986. The previous record was smashed this afternoon after the men's gymnastics team won silver. Scotland's First Minister described the medal haul asphenomenal'' and paid tribute to the home crowd which has spurred the sports men and women on since the 20th Games kicked off on Thursday. Alex Salmond said: This fantastic achievement is testament to the hard work of the Team Scotland athletes, coaches and support staff, and their preparation and dedication is inspiring the whole nation."The Commonwealth Games XX team is surely among the best-prepared in history and the world has watched extraordinary performances from our athletes." That includes both established stars such as Euan Burton and Libby Clegg, and new stars such as judo sisters Kimberley and Louise Renicks and 13-year-old Erraid Davies."From day one Team Scotland has had the full backing of the home crowds. They have turned up in their thousands and have played their part in cheering Team Scotland on to personal bests and a record number of medals." With half of the Games still to go it is very likely that Scotland's medal avalanche will continue."Team Scotland of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games have set the bar for Scotland teams of the future and their phenomenal achievements will have a fantastic knock-on effect for the next generation of young Scots athletes.'' Our reporter Gordon Duncan chats with Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, David Grevemberg: