Chris Hoy, the Scottish cyclist who won three gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, has spoken of his dismay at attempts by politicians to “cash in” on his success.

Shortly after becoming the first Briton in a century to win three gold medals at a single Games, Hoy became embroiled in a debate over the feasibility of a Scottish Olympic team.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond made the proposal but Hoy, born in Edinburgh, felt it was timed to capitalise on his achievements.

“I was annoyed at getting drawn into a political debate when I'm an athlete. I ride a bike, I'm not a politician,” he said.

“Politicians want to be involved so that they can get some sort of association with your success and benefit from the positive feeling in your country.

“I was frustrated by the whole debate because I felt as if I'd been misrepresented. I wasn't being anti-Scottish. If there was a Scottish team in the Olympics, of course I'd want to be part of it, just like I am at the Commonwealth Games.

“But I felt the politicians were just trying to cash in on our success.”

Hoy, whose exploits in Beijing made his a crucial voice in the debate, reiterated that his objection to a Scottish team was based on feasibility and not a lack of national pride.

The 32-year-old insisted the infrastructure in Scotland would require a major overhaul before the idea of a breakaway could be entertained.

“If the politicians are serious about it then great, but show us that you're serious,” he said.

“I have to be very careful about what I say but I stand by what I said in terms of the call for a Scottish team to be entered into the Olympics.

“Before you even start thinking about that, you have to show commitment and put your money where your mouth is.

“The facilities need to be there so that Scottish athletes can survive in Scotland and have access to the right coaching and support.

“In cycling, that's just not the case, so we could not base ourselves there.”

Aside from being caught up in the political maelstrom, Hoy has enjoyed a whirlwind ten days since returning from Beijing. On Saturday, he will appear on the Jonathan Ross Show, he has met Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, and with other Scottish medal-winners has been hailed by 50,000 wellwishers on an open-topped bus ride along Edinburgh's Royal Mile.

Moves are also afoot to secure his appearance on the BBC motoring programme Top Gear.

Hoy, who plans to compete at the London 2012 Games, accepts that his public profile has soared since Beijing but he is determined to ensure he remains focused on what has delivered his fame.

“The celebrity side of it won't dull my competitive edge,” he said.

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