Glasgow bids for 2014 Commonwealth Games
The Scottish Executive has today put its full weight behind Glasgow’s bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
First minister Jack McConnell said the bid, which if successful would follow in the footsteps of Games in Edinburgh in 1986 and 1970, had the potential to change Scotland.
The support gave Glasgow the green light to officially announce its intention. It is the first city to do so, but is likely to be followed by bid teams from Canada, South Africa and Nigeria.
“Taking the bold step to bring one of the largest events in the world to Scotland shows the scale of our ambition as a nation and the confidence that we have in our biggest city,” Mr McConnell said from Hampden Park, one of the venues which will be put forward for the Games.
“I hope this decision will inspire thousands of Scots to take up the challenge of sport. We want future generations to have the facilities, the desire and the confidence to make the most of themselves. And we will showcase modern Scotland to billions of people.
“This is the right decision to make. Glasgow’s bid is viable, it is winnable and it will leave a lasting legacy across all of Scotland. The competition to host the Games may well be fierce, but with the support of everyone in Scotland, this is a race that we can win.”
The executive’s support for the Glasgow bid, which comes after a positive report from an assessment group, was seen as crucial for its success, and chairman of the Games council Louise Martin said she was “delighted” at today’s announcement.
“We believe that a Commonwealth Games in Glasgow would be good for Scotland, great for Scottish sport and a fantastic opportunity for Scottish athletes to compete in front of a home crowd,” she said.
Scottish National party deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon promised her party’s “wholehearted support” for the effort to win the Games, which has a good chance of being chosen after the success of the 2002 Games in Manchester.
“Glasgow’s bid has one hundred per cent support from the SNP,” she said. “This is a bid which will be good for Glasgow and good for Scotland.”
Next year’s competition takes place in Melbourne, Australia, and the 2010 Games will be held in New Delhi, India.
