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Rhona Martin

Rhona Martin MBE - Curler,Gold Medalist

A top curling skip guiding Great Britain to their 1st Winter Olympics Gold since 1984. From Dunlop, Ayrshire, she was a Brownie, Guide & Volunteer Leader.

"Never give up when the going gets tough, strive to achieve what you want. "


Scotland and being Scottish...


If you were away on your travels and allowed only one scenic photograph of Scotland to take with you - where would it be and in what season?

I would take a picture taken on a sunny day on the Ayrshire coast with Ailsa Craig in the background (all Curling stones that go round the world are made from the granite from Ailsa Craig).



Do you think having the Olympics in 2012 will benefit Scotland and young people in Scotland?


Having the Olympics in London in 2012 will inspire many young athletes to try and qualify, and many new sporting facilities will be built in Britain that will only benefit Scottish athletes. It is every athletes dream to represent their country at an Olympic Games and to do that in their own country would be fantastic.



 

Career…


What changes have you seen in the way Curling is perceived by the public and the sporting world?

Since the coverage of the Salt Lake City Games in 2002, the profile of curling in Britain has been raised enormously. Many people are more aware of the sport, and the jokes about curling your hair and sweeping floors have vanished and people are genuinely interested in the sport.


What is the best tip you can give enthusiastic curlers - perhaps our future Gold medalists?

Tips to young Curlers or any sporting enthusiast - never give-up, even when the going gets tough, and strive for what you want to achieve in life.


What is the best minute in your career so far?

The best minute of my career is definitely when I stood on the Olympic Medal Podium with a Gold Medal around my neck and the National Anthem was playing.



 

Guiding…


What did you get out of being a leader and if someone was thinking of trying it - what would you say?

I thoroughly enjoyed being a Guide leader, being able to organise all the events and badge-work, and it gave me great satisfaction to see the enjoyment in the girls' faces.


What was the best thing you did while you were in Guiding?

Two trips that I organised stand out - I took my Guides to Arran for a weeks camping which was fantastic, and we did a three day trip to London to see the sights.



Being a woman…


What is the most important lesson a woman can learn in life?

One lesson a woman can learn in life is to be prepared for any eventuality and take each day as it comes. Never trust a man to do anything - just do it yourself!




What's important to her...


What has been the best day of your life?

I have had several memorable days in my life, but one of the best was going to Buckingham Palace to receive my MBE from the Queen for playing a sport I love - it was a huge honour.


If you had to save two items from your burning house, what would they be?

If I had to save two things from a burning house apart from my children and dog, it would be my Gold Medal and my handbag with my diary, as I would be lost without my diary!




To find out more about Rhona please see www.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org

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