Last weekend in Oregon, Josh Kerr from Edinburgh Athletic Club smashed the British mile record in an astonishing 3 minutes 45 seconds, eclipsing the great Steve Cram’s record, which he had held for 39 years. Josh is now ranked sixth in the world all-time list. He is already the world 1,500m champion and the world indoor 3,000m champion, and he holds an Olympic bronze medal.

Behind Josh, from Giffnock North Athletics Club, was Neil Gourley, running an astonishing 3 minutes 47, and Jake Wightman, from Edinburgh AC, a former 1,500m world champion, running 3 minutes 47.

Does the First Minister agree that those athletes, along with female counterparts such as Laura Muir, Jemma Reekie, Eilish McColgan and Erin Wallace, are an inspiration to future sportsmen and women? Will he join me in wishing them well at the upcoming Olympic games in Paris?

I am absolutely delighted to do so and to pay tribute to the astonishing achievements of all the individuals whom Mr Whittle has mentioned, because they are utterly and totally inspiring.

I have to say to Mr Whittle that they will be a great deal faster than both him and me, if I may say so. They are certainly a great deal faster than I was when running through the centre of Edinburgh at the ungodly hour at which I was running this morning.

I pay warm tribute to them. They are an encouragement to us all to exercise—perhaps not as fast as they are able to exercise and compete—and to take due care of ourselves to ensure our own physical fitness. I am happy to associate myself with Brian Whittle’s comments and to encourage all the athletes in the forthcoming competitions.