Scottish vote for independence would impact country's sports

LOCH LOMOND, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Duncan Thomson, Brian McCutcheon, John Patterson and Arthur Murdoch,from King of Scots Robert the Bruce Society, hold the Scottish flags as they prepare to vote in the Scottish independence referendum on September 14, 2014 in Loch Lomond. The latest polls in Scotland's independence referendum put the No campaign back in the lead, the first time they have gained ground on the Yes campaign since the start of August. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

This week, Scottish citizens vote whether to break from England. If Scotland becomes an independent country, what will happen to the country’s sports teams?

The people of Scotland will vote this week for independence from the rest of the United Kingdom. The decision would affect all walks of life, including athletes.

As the BBC’s Chris McLaughlin found out, a vote for independence could mean big decisions for Scotland’s top athletes. For example, Olympic athletes would have to choose between playing for Scotland or Great Britain.

"We must make sure that every Scot who’s participating now has the same opportunities in the future, but more importantly, we reassure and give confidence to young athletes coming through the system that their chances of victory will not be affected," says Scotland First Minister Henry McLeish, who was commissioned to compile an independent report into the implications.