Doug Gillon, SJA member and the former chairman of the British Athletics Writers’ Association, last night received a special honour from his home city of Glasgow, recognising his exceptional service as a sports writer with The Herald for more than 30 years.
Gillon (left in the picture, receiving from Mihir Bose his 2006 SJA Specialist Writer of the Year award, one of three national sports writing awards he has received in the past decade) was presented with his award on this occasion by Lord Provost Bob Winter at a ceremony at the City Chambers.
It is the first time that Glasgow has recognised the achievements of a sports journalist.
The Lord Provost said: “Every now and again, there is someone whose achievement is so distinctive that I have pleasure of creating an award which is unique to them.
“Among his accomplishments is Doug’s great service to the socalled minority sports of which we would know much less without his work. A mention must also be made of Doug’s great contribution to campaigning the cause of disability sports.”
Donald Cowey, The Herald Sports Editor, said: “This is thoroughly deserved recognition for Doug’s decades of leading from the front in sports journalism. He is justifiably one of the most respected sports journalists in Britain and has been a credit to The Herald for over 30 years.”
Gillon has covered every Commonwealth Games since 1970, every summer Olympics since 1972 and every athletics world championships since 1983. Among the other awards Gillon has received was the Scottish Press Awards Lifetime Achievement prize last year.
Deputy sports editor James Porteous added: “As a 21-year-old starting on The Herald sports desk, witnessing Doug Gillon’s dedication to his craft was a better education in journalism than any degree course could have provided. In the near 10 years I have worked with him, his help and generosity to me and the rest of his colleagues at The Herald sports desk and beyond have never been less than remarkable.”
Among the other Glaswegians to be honoured last night was also a long-time contact and friend of Gillon’s, Frank Clement, the former British international middle distance runner, who has organised mass participation road races in Glasgow since 1994.
Click here to read one of Gillon’s latest Herald columns
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