Launceston Elliot


1874 - 1930

Claimed as Scotland's first Olympic medal winner, although Elliot never lived in Scotland. He was born in India, into an aristocratic Scottish family. His great great uncle was Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, the 1st Earl of Minto (1751 - 1814), while his father worked in the Indian Civil Service. Elliot took part in the first modern Olympic Games, held in Athens in 1896. He competed in the weightlifting competition, winning a gold medal at the one-handed lift and a silver medal at the two-handed lift. He also took part in Greco-Roman wrestling, rope climbing and the 100m race. As the 100m was the first event of the Games, this allowed the claim that Elliot was the first British competitor of the Modern Olympics. He later became a stage strongman.

Elliot was inducted as one of the first members of the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.


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