ATHLETES from the West of Scotland are hoping to build on Britain's best Olympics for a century by competing at the Paralympics.

ATHLETES from the West of Scotland are hoping to build on Britain's best Olympics for a century by competing at the Paralympics.

Four of the 16 Scottish competitors on the GB team heading for Beijing over the next few days are from in and around Glasgow.

Cyclist Aileen McGlynn, 35, from Crookston is currently the Paralympic World Champion in her events.

And she's hoping to follow in the tracks of Scots cyclist Chris Hoy, who became the first Brit to scoop three golds in an Olympic Games in 100 years.

She said: "He was one of the reasons I got into track cycling.

"He's done amazingly well and he's really an inspiration. Hopefully I'll be as successful. But I'm only entered for two events so can only win two golds."

Aileen, who is visually impaired and races with pilot rider Ellen Hunter, was runner-up in the Evening Times Sportswoman of the Year competition earlier this year.

The youngest competitor going to China from the West of Scotland is wheelchair Tennis player Gordon Reid, 16, from Helensburgh.

Motherwell-based footballer Jonathan Paterson, 20, is also going to his first Olympic Games.

The insurance consultant is part of a seven-a-side football team who all have cerebral palsy.

Swimmer Mhairi Love, 27, from Larkhall, who competes in 100m and 400m freestyle and was a double silver medalist at the Athens Paralympics, is hoping to be just as successful in Beijing.

The Paralympics begin on September 6 after the Olympics.