Scotland's Commonwealth Games bid is "up and running"

Tuesday 16 August 2005

Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair of sportscotland today welcomed the news that the Scottish Executive has given its official backing to a Scottish Commonwealth Games bid for 2014 with Glasgow, following the First Minister’s announcement that the bid is officially up and running.

He announced that the Scottish government will support the bid and provide substantial funding if the bid to the Commonwealth Games Federation is successful.

Speaking at Glasgow’s Hampden Park, one of the proposed Games venues, the First Minister said: "The Commonwealth Games has the potential to change our country. 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.

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.

"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 winable 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."

Louise Martin CBE, Chairman, Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland: "We are delighted that Scottish Ministers have agreed to back a Scottish bid for 2014.

"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." 

Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair of sportscotland said: "This is a very exciting time for Scottish sport and a successful Commonwealth Games bid would ensure that sport remains high on the political agenda. It would create a focal point for all agencies involved in sport in Scotland, building further on London 2012. It would stimulate participation in sport, inspire success in sport and give thousands of volunteers the opportunity to get involved, develop their skills and have an experience of a lifetime."

Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council said:

"Glasgow and Scotland are truly going for gold with this bid.  The social and economic dividend of the Games will bring great benefits and provide a lasting legacy for the city and nation. 

"I'm overwhelmed by the full backing of Scottish Ministers and the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, and I'm sure all of Glasgow and Scotland will join with us in securing success in 2014."

• In early 2004, the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland (CGCS) invited cities in Scotland to consider making a bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and in September 2004, the CGCS selected Glasgow as the preferred city.
• Glasgow City Council prepared a draft bid document for this process and considerable work has been done since their selection to strengthen the likely components of that bid.
• In September 2004, the CGCS announced it would formally submit Glasgow’s bid to the Commonwealth Games Federation, subject to its endorsement by an independent Assessment Group and support from the Scottish Executive.
• In November 2004, a Bid Assessment Group (BAG) was established by the First Minister to oversee the feasibility process as a pre-cursor to any decision by the Scottish Executive to support a future bid. David Mackay, the former Chairman of the Scottish Rugby Union Executive Board, was appointed to Chair the BAG. Independent consultants (PMP) were appointed to carry out a detailed feasibility study of Glasgow’s proposals. Their findings and conclusions were generally endorsed by the BAG.
• The BAG formally submitted its conclusions and recommendations in July to the Scottish Executive. Is key conclusion was that there was a strong case for support for Glasgow’s bid.