'Icon, athlete, belter': Scottish sprinter Drew McMaster who competed in Moscow Olympics dies age 69
‘A proud Tranent man, or a ‘Belter’ as those born in Tranent are affectionately known, Drew was never one to do anything by halves’
The Scottish sprinter and Commonwealth Games gold-medallist Drew McMaster has died at the age of 69.
The East Lothian-born athlete represented Scotland at the 1978 Commonwealth Games, where he won the 4x100 relay gold medal alongside David Jenkins, Allan Wells, and Cameron Sharp.
He later competed for Team GB at the Moscow Olympics in 1980, running in both the Men’s 100m and the 4x100 relay.
His personal bests were 10.37 seconds for the 100 metres and 20.77 sec for the 200 metres.
It is understood Mr McMaster died at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on Wednesday evening.
His friend Michael Coleman said he was “deeply saddened” by his death, calling Mr McMaster an “extraordinary athlete”.
He said: “I feel incredibly fortunate to have known Drew and to have called him a close friend.
“While many will remember him for his incredible speed on the track, I will remember him for the man he was and the friendship we shared.
“A proud Tranent man, or a "Belter" as those born in Tranent are affectionately known, Drew was never one to do anything by halves.
“He was all in or not in at all, whether on the athletics track or enjoying life with his many friends at The Mercat in Haddington and the Keepers, now the Tranent Arms, in Tranent.
“Many will miss his stories, jokes, teasing and unmistakable laugh. I will miss a very close friend and a man who truly lived a life less ordinary.
“His passing is a tremendous loss, and I hope he will be remembered not only for his contribution to Scottish athletics but also for the countless lives he touched away from the sport.
“Rest in peace, Drew. You will be greatly missed. Icon. Athlete. Belter.”