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Millenium Commonwealth Youth Games gets royal seal of approval

Tuesday 11 April 2000

With exactly four months to go until the first day of competition, Games Patron, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Eric Milligan, today hosted the official launch of the Millennium Commonwealth Youth Games at The City Chambers, Edinburgh, chaired by Recreation  Convener, Councillor Steve Cardownie.

At the launch it was announced that HRH Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex would officially open the Games.

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.

The Millennium Commonwealth Youth Games will be held in Edinburgh between 10–14 August 2000, and reaffirms the long-standing relationship the city has with the Commonwealth movement.

Lord Provost Eric Milligan, said, "I am delighted that Edinburgh is to be the host city for the Millennium Commonwealth Youth Games – the first ever Commonwealth Youth Games.

"Edinburgh is no stranger to Commonwealth competitions, having hosted the main Games in 1970 and 1986.  As well as being highly competitive, these games were remembered for the friendly spirit that surrounded them.  The city has strong links with many Commonwealth countries and as a result of the previous Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which was held here in 1997, countless new friendships have been made and numerous links have been developed between people from all over the Commonwealth.  I have no doubt that this will again be the case when the Youth Games are held here in August."

"The City of Edinburgh looks forward to welcoming all those associated with the Games to the city and we will do everything we can to ensure that their visit is as successful and enjoyable as possible", added Councillor Cardownie.

Nearly 600 athletes from 14 nations will contest the medals over three days of fierce competition in eight sports at venues in and around Edinburgh.  The sports involved are: athletics, fencing, gymnastics, hockey, tennis, squash, swimming and weightlifting. The competing Commonwealth countries are: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, England, India, Malaysia, Nauru, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Wales, Zimbabwe.

A cultural/rest day will be included in the programme which will give the athletes an opportunity to experience the hospitality of the Scottish people and their culture.

Louise Martin, Chair of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, who is organising the event, comments, "We are delighted with the response to this new event from the other Commonwealth Federations. Already the future of the Games is assured with three 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.

"I am particularly pleased to announce this morning, that His Royal Highness, Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex, will officially open the Games, and read an official message from the Queen at the Opening Ceremony on 10 August.

"We are also pleased to have with us today a number of Scottish athletes from the participating sports, each of whom hopes to be selected for the Millennium Commonwealth Youth Games in August."

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 (£68,000), and sportscotland who, through its Lottery Fund, has invested over £100,000, all  helping to make the Games a reality.

Alastair Dempster, Chairman of sportscotland, said:  "sportscotland is delighted to be supporting this groundbreaking event, which will bring immediate benefits to Edinburgh, Scotland and, of course, those taking part.  The benefits will also be felt by the people of the Commonwealth countries in the future at Youth Commonwealth Games to come.

"These Games offer an excellent opportunity for our up-and-coming athletes to compete against some of the best in the world in their age group on home soil: the experience they gain will be invaluable to the development of their sporting careers."

The Games has also received substantial support from a range of partners who are all helping to make it a success including: The City of Edinburgh Council, Heriot-Watt University, East Lothian Council, britsport.COM, Edinburgh Leisure, Manchester 2002, Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils, Scottish Borders Council and St Andrews Ambulance.

By holding the event during the school holidays and making entry to all events 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.

To help promote the Games to Scotland's youth, sixth year students from Selkirk High School have been enlisted to produce a newsletter giving details of the event, which will be circulated to all Scotland's High Schools.  This exciting project gives the seven youngsters involved the opportunity to develop their design and journalism skills.

  • In a System 3 survey conducted in January 1999, the Commonwealth Games ranked top alongside the Olympics as the international event in which the Scottish public saw international success as important (83% saw it as being important as opposed to 77% for the Football World Cup of European Championships).
  • Scotland has participated in every Commonwealth Games since their inception in 1930 during which time they have won 270 medals including 65 golds.
  • Scotland's most successful tally was the 1986 Games in Edinburgh when Scotland won 33 medals.
  • Funding events such as the Millennium Commonwealth Youth Games is just one aspect that sportscotland invests in.  To date, over £106 million has been awarded through the Lottery Fund to talented athletes, youth and school sport, coaching and sports facilities and equipment.
  • Events will be staged at several venues in and around the city 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.
  • Each sport is responsible for arranging its competition format and programme.