Glasgow 2014

Glasgow's pride at winning Games bid

As a nation, Scotland loves its sport. Scotland have taken part in every Commonwealth Games since its inception as the British Empire Games in 1930. Their sportsmen and women have won scores of medals and contributed to many of the finest moments.

So the opportunity for Scotland to host the Commonwealth Games is an honour and a privilege. Of course, the staging of such a world class sporting occasion takes a great deal of preparation and planning. But Scotland has a wealth of experience hosting events and the time was right to put itself forward once again.

There have been some major milestones before Glasgow – as Scotland’s representative - won the right to stage the Games. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games. Its vision is to promote a world-class Commonwealth Games and also encourage and develop sport and physical recreation across the Commonwealth.

This vision, which encompasses the values of humanity, equality and destiny, is shared in Scotland. To ensure Glasgow’s bid met the proper qualifications, it required support from a number of key backers. In February 2004, the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, now Commonwealth Games Scotland, invited Scottish cities to consider making a bid.

Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, had already hosted the Games in 1970 and again in 1986 but there was a widely held view that it was now the turn of Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city and its commercial and cultural heartland. Seven months later Glasgow was selected as the preferred city from Scotland.

In November 2004 a Bid Assessment Group was set up to look at the long-term benefits of hosting the Games in Scotland. The Group received the results of a three-month study by PMP Consultants. They concluded there were "substantial merits" and that Glasgow would be able to stage a high quality Games, using several existing sporting arenas and the building of a new games village and some new facilities. This would allow the Games to keep a strong control on the costs.

The report also highlighted Glasgow’s exemplary record in hosting major events – including the UEFA Champions League Final at Hampden Park in 2002.

In August 2005, Scotland’s formal announcement came when the then First Minister Jack McConnell made the announcement from Hampden Park, one of the proposed venues. He said: “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 we have in our biggest city.”

After a successful campaign which galvanised Scotland, Glasgow was awarded the Commonwealth Games for 2014, to follow on from Delhi in 2010, at a meeting of the Commonwealth Games Federation in Sri Lanka in November 2007.

Since then work has been going on in Scotland – and especially Glasgow – to build the Games infrastructure and to put in place a board of directors and an executive team who are now the Organising Committee. The committee has the task of creating a world-class Games worthy of Glasgow, and Scotland. A lot of work is now being done in setting down the planning and the policies for the next phases of the development.

What holding the Games means to Glasgow 

Glasgow is a modern and cosmopolitan place with a huge amount to offer the visitor. The city is delighted to have been chosen to host the Games in 2014. Those who have never been to “The Dear Green Place” on the River Clyde can expect an extraordinary welcome in a city renowned for its vibrant lifestyle. The whole city is behind the event and over 1.7 million Scots registered their support for the Games in Scotland.

But there is a lot of work to be done and Glasgow will be rolling up its sleeves to ensure that everyone involved with the Games has a fantastic time. But the Commonwealth Games means so much more – it is the once-in-a-generation opportunity to regenerate a derelict part of the city and tackle some of the issues of health and deprivation that have blighted Glasgow.

Members of Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government are working on plans to ensure the Games leave a positive legacy on our communities.

A sports programme that will spark your passion 

Will you hold your breath during the 100m final or scream encouragement as weightlifters heave 110kg into the air? Will you be breathless re-enacting every badminton serve, smash and stroke or in awe at the gymnasts’ acrobatic feats?

The sports have been selected to show our great city at its best. Medals will be won and lost in world-class venues. Personal bests will be set in front of spectacular backdrops and the roar of our passionate Scottish crowds will inspire record-breaking performances.

In November 2006 the Commonwealth Games Federation agreed there should be 10 core sports, with each bidding city able to select up to a further 7 sports. When deciding which sports would feature in Glasgow's programme, their appeal across the Commonwealth was considered alongside the likely spread of medal success, and the long term benefits for Scotland of including the sport.

Speaking about the sports programme Louise Martin of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland said: “Getting the sports right was a crucial part of the bidding process. We have made sure we are giving ourselves the best opportunity for Scottish success, but we have selected sports that will satisfy voters from all Commonwealth countries”.

"The sports we have selected do just that. We have spoken to voters from around the world and taken their advice on what sports they want to see at Glasgow 2014. We have made sure that the views of all countries, big and small, have been taken into account. This means that our Games will be a spectacular celebration of sport and of the Commonwealth itself.”