Go To TopHome Access Site Map Search Legals Comments Accessibility
Putting sport first

You are in: 

History made as first games declared open

Thursday 10 August 2000

The first ever Millennium Commonwealth Youth Games were officially declared open tonight amidst the splendour of the world famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle, by HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and President of the Commonwealth Games Federation.

Athlete representatives from the 15 competing Commonwealth countries made history as they paraded across the Esplanade, national flags flying. The procession was led by the Millennium Flame, in a ceremonial glass torch, flanked by two athletes each carrying silvered running torches (to acknowledge the event as a celebration of youth in this millennium year).

In front of a capacity crowd of 8,600, the 'Athletes' Oath' was taken on behalf of all the competitors by 17 year old Louise Carroll from Dundee.  Louise who is captain of the Scottish women's hockey team said, "It was an amazing experience and I was very proud to be chosen to represent my fellow athletes. It is something I will remember for the rest of my life. I am now looking forward to the competition getting underway." 

Before declaring the Games officially open, Prince Edward delivered a message from the Queen saying, "Scotland is a great friend of the Commonwealth. Edinburgh has hosted two of the Commonwealth Games in the past 30 years, and I am pleased that this historic city, in the first year of the Scottish Parliament, should agree to host these Commonwealth Youth Games.

"I hope that these Games set the scene for the promotion of sport, and through it friendship, among the young people of the Commonwealth."

Edinburgh Military Tattoo Chief Executive and Producer Brigadier Mel Jameson, said:  "We are delighted to host this colourful event in this our Golden Jubilee Year and wish the Games every success."

Looking forward to the three days of competition Louise Martin, Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, said, "What better way could there be to start the Games than with such a wonderful occasion as we have witnessed this evening. I am sure this will set the scene for some truly excellent competition across all eight sports and I wish each and every one of our 597 competitors the very best of luck.  We very much hope that the people of Scotland and any international visitors from Canada, South Africa or Australia in the city for the festival will come along and support their teams."

The Earl and Countess of Wessex will tour the Games Village at Heriot-Watt University and a number of the sports venues as the three day competition gets underway on Friday morning (11 August) commencing at 0930.

  • This inaugural event, devised by the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, provides a unique platform for talented young athletes (under 18) to compete at international level in a multi-sport event. For many it will be a springboard to full senior competition and success in 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and Olympic Games in years to come.
  • Events will be staged at several venues in and around Edinburgh including: Craiglockhart Tennis Centre, Heriot-Watt University (Fencing and Squash), Meadowbank Stadium (Athletics), Meadowbank Sports Centre (Gymnastics), Meadowmill Sports Centre - East Lothian (Weightlifting), Peffermill National Hockey Centre, Royal Commonwealth Pool (Swimming). Heriot-Watt University (Riccarton Campus) will also be the site of the Games village where the athletes and their support staff will be based.
  • The competing nations are: Australia, Barbados, Canada, England, India, Isle of Man, Jersey, Nauru, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Malaysia, Scotland, South Africa, Wales, Zimbabwe.
  • Already the future of the Games is assured with four Australian cities bidding to host the second Commonwealth Youth Games in 2004. This event is set to be an historic milestone in the Commonwealth movement.
  • Entry is free to under 18s, it is hoped that youngsters from across Scotland will come along and be inspired, watching some of the world’s top athletes of their own age in action.
  • The event has been made possible thanks to the financial support of a number of organisations including the Millennium Commission (£100,000), the Millennium Festival (£47,000), sportscotland who, through its Lottery Fund, has invested over £160,000, and City of Edinburgh Council all helping to make the Games a reality.
+