Glasgow named as 2014 Commonwealth Games host
Glasgow is to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games after winning the decisive vote in Sri Lanka this afternoon. Glasgow fought off the challenge from Nigerian capital, Abuja, and clinched the vote in Colombo, after both parties pitched their presentation to delegates from all 71 Commonwealth countries.
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond presented the Scottish bid alongside Glasgow City Council leader Steven Purchell, Louise Martin, chairperson of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland and Jamie Quarry, a decathlete and former bobsleigh international.
A delighted Paul Bush, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, the national events agency, said: "This is a tremendous result for Glasgow and Scotland.
"The energy, commitment and determination displayed by the Glasgow 2014 bid team has been inspirational and these qualities have been vital in securing the Commonwealth Games.
"Scotland is a major player when it comes to hosting and staging major international sporting events and this growing reputation is certainly recognised in today's announcement."
"The build up to the Games, the Games themselves and their legacy will have a profound impact on Scotland. We look forward to working with the Games team to help deliver the best ever Commonwealth Games and to ensure Scotland derives maximum benefit from being the host nation."
The Glasgow presentation, which lasted half-an-hour, included three films, one of which featured Sir Sean Connery, himself a Commonwealth Games ambassador.
Over 70 per cent of the facilities required for the staging of the Games are already in place with events set to take place at Hampden Park, Strathclyde Park and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre.
A new National Indoor Sports Arena and Velodrome will also be built as Glasgow seeks to leave a lasting legacy from hosting the Games which will run over 13 days, between July 23 and August 3.
It is believed the total cost for Glasgow 2014 will reach £288 million.
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