Scottish Commonwealth Gold Medallist Lachie Stewart Dies Aged 81

Lachie Stewart, the celebrated Scottish distance runner who won the 10,000m gold at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, has died at the age of 81. Born Joseph Laughlin Stewart in Alexandria, he became a national hero by defeating Australian Ron Clarke in one of Scottish athletics’ most iconic moments and later represented Great Britain at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Stewart, who worked as a dental mechanic during his athletic career, was inducted into the Scottish Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018 and remained active in the athletics community, often attending local events and presenting medals. In later life, he faced health challenges, including a leg amputation in 2020 due to diabetes complications, but remained determined and positive about the experience. His son, Glen, shared a tribute noting that Stewart's "hardest race has now been run," while tributes poured in from the athletics community and public figures, remembering his legacy on and off the track. Scottish Athletics extended condolences to his family and friends, highlighting his lasting impact on Scottish sport.