GLASGOW TO HOST 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
Scottish bid to stage showpiece event successful GLASGOW'S BID to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games ended in triumph today.
Scotland's biggest city beat off competition from the Nigerian capital Abuja
to win the crucial ballot.
Glasgow had been the firm favourites going into today's meeting of
Commonwealth Games Federation delegates in Sri Lanka.
The Glasgow bid won by 47 votes to 24.
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond hailed Glasgow's victory and pledged:
"We will make these Games the greatest sporting event our country has ever
seen.
"They will be our chance to show the whole world the very best of Scotland."
The result was greeted with cheers of joy from the Scottish bid team in Sri
Lanka.
And there were scenes of celebration in Glasgow as the news was broadcast
live on big screens at a series of public events.
The Glasgow bid organisers had faced an agonising wait after the final
presentations ended before the result was announced by Commonwealth Games
Federation (CGF) president Mike Fennell at 12.42pm UK time.
Mr Salmond headed up Glasgow's final presentation which lasted around 30
minutes and was accompanied by a video narrated by Sir Sean Connery.
He told delegates that Scotland was ready to host the Games for the first
time since 1986.
The First Minister said hosting the Games in Glasgow would mean people would
be "united in celebration of sport".
Glasgow were favourites because of the technical strength of the bid but
Abuja was thought to have a lot of support from those hoping to see the
Games in Africa for the first time.
The victory will result in a massive regeneration of Glasgow's east end,
with new investment in sporting and housing facilities. |
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Posted by: Joan Boyland, pOrt glasgow on 8:44am Sat 10 Nov 07
Congratulations Glagow and see you in 2007 as a volunteer I hope!
Congratulations Glagow and see you in 2007 as a volunteer I hope!
Posted by: Wullie on 9:10pm Sat 10 Nov 07
A fantastic result for Scotland.
Very well done Alex Salmond and the many many others who have worked so hard to achieve this result.
This is an international showcase and let us all get behind Team Scotland and let us show the world what we can do!
A fantastic result for Scotland.
Very well done Alex Salmond and the many many others who have worked so hard to achieve this result.
This is an international showcase and let us all get behind Team Scotland and let us show the world what we can do!
Posted by: Joe on 11:44pm Sat 10 Nov 07
Well done to the whole Glasgow team!
I know the East End well and I can remember some of the early presentations with Steven Purcell when he just became council leader about what the games would mean for the East End. It isn't until you drive through Dalmarnock or thereabouts that you fully appreciate how significant the Commonwealth Games legacy could be.
I'm going to make sure I'm in Celtic Park for the opening ceremony. I wouldn't miss it for the world!
Well done to the whole Glasgow team!
I know the East End well and I can remember some of the early presentations with Steven Purcell when he just became council leader about what the games would mean for the East End. It isn't until you drive through Dalmarnock or thereabouts that you fully appreciate how significant the Commonwealth Games legacy could be.
I'm going to make sure I'm in Celtic Park for the opening ceremony. I wouldn't miss it for the world!
Posted by: Robert, Dubai on 6:29am Sun 11 Nov 07
Good to see Glasgow doing what it's best at, getting public money. There will be 'task teams', 'monitoring committees', 'project coordinators', 'evaluation teams' etc, etc, etc and that's where the bulk of the cash will go. The subsidy junkies and 'Consultants' will be falling over themselves to get a ride on this gravy train and after the games Glasgow will be left with a pile of empty, vandalised shells.
How many cities were in the bidding as it looks to me as if most other Commonwelth (whatever that is) countries were giving it a wide bearth? Mind you, Glasgow did really well to pip Nigeria.
Good to see Glasgow doing what it's best at, getting public money. There will be 'task teams', 'monitoring committees', 'project coordinators', 'evaluation teams' etc, etc, etc and that's where the bulk of the cash will go. The subsidy junkies and 'Consultants' will be falling over themselves to get a ride on this gravy train and after the games Glasgow will be left with a pile of empty, vandalised shells.
How many cities were in the bidding as it looks to me as if most other Commonwelth (whatever that is) countries were giving it a wide bearth? Mind you, Glasgow did really well to pip Nigeria.
Posted by: Anders Nogiets, Zuid-Holland on 8:38am Sun 11 Nov 07
Fantastic for Glesca!
Anders,
ex-Old Shettleston Rd.
Fantastic for Glesca!
Anders,
ex-Old Shettleston Rd.
Posted by: shug, rotterdam on 9:48am Sun 11 Nov 07
Robert in Dubai. Glasgow will have at long last the airport link, an upgraded and extended subway, a road in the east end which allows cars to travel from north to south without driving through the city centre.
In addition to the jobs being created in construction, the new hotels etc, there will be new housing from the athletes village.
What do you mean exactly by "vandalised shells ".
Your negativity is, quite frankly, depressing.
With all the new facilities in place we may have the Games again in 20 years, or the European Football Championship at long last.
All of that would mean even more money coming in to the city.
Please try and look at the positive side of events.
Robert in Dubai. Glasgow will have at long last the airport link, an upgraded and extended subway, a road in the east end which allows cars to travel from north to south without driving through the city centre.
In addition to the jobs being created in construction, the new hotels etc, there will be new housing from the athletes village.
What do you mean exactly by "vandalised shells ".
Your negativity is, quite frankly, depressing.
With all the new facilities in place we may have the Games again in 20 years, or the European Football Championship at long last.
All of that would mean even more money coming in to the city.
Please try and look at the positive side of events.
Posted by: George, Glasgow on 12:48pm Sun 11 Nov 07
You clowns dont get it do you? You people dont live in glasgow.This will be a nightmare for Glasgow. The transport infrastructure is a nightmare, and the plans they have put forward are not sufficient enough for the amount of people coming into Glasgow for these cursed games. The only reason Glasgow got them is becasue he other cities were savvy enough to know tyat they would cost to much and would not benefit their cities over the long term. Only the dafties at Hollyrood and SportScotland couldnt see that. Glaswegians didnt ask for or want these pointless games fostered on Glasgow. I Look forward to the time when hey realise they wont be able to fund it....
You clowns dont get it do you? You people dont live in glasgow.This will be a nightmare for Glasgow. The transport infrastructure is a nightmare, and the plans they have put forward are not sufficient enough for the amount of people coming into Glasgow for these cursed games. The only reason Glasgow got them is becasue he other cities were savvy enough to know tyat they would cost to much and would not benefit their cities over the long term. Only the dafties at Hollyrood and SportScotland couldnt see that. Glaswegians didnt ask for or want these pointless games fostered on Glasgow. I Look forward to the time when hey realise they wont be able to fund it....
Posted by: Tim Lathman, Glasgow on 2:17pm Sun 11 Nov 07
George,crawl back into your box, go back to sleep.
The only clowns around are the likes of you who cannot look to the future. This can only bring development and progress to Glasgow.
Is that what you're afraid of?
George,crawl back into your box, go back to sleep.
The only clowns around are the likes of you who cannot look to the future. This can only bring development and progress to Glasgow.
Is that what you're afraid of?
Posted by: george, Glasgow on 4:54pm Sun 11 Nov 07
Tim what do you mean by "development & progress"? For all the money that is going to be squandered in Glasgow it wont make any differnence to the majority of people in glasgow. Do you live in glasgow Tim?If you do you will know fine well that there are more pressing priorities for the city than this albatross. The transport infrastructre plans presented are not sufficient enough for the games. We need a metropolitan subway, we need soemthing done about the ait pollution, we need somenting done about the crime and poverty. But nonsense like the Commonwealth games will not address these Glawegian issues. I suspect a lot of Glaswegians will do ther damndest to oppose and sabotage the games unless there can be a bigger commitment from the politicians to address Glasgows problems. So Tim what i am afraid of is money being spent that will bankrupt Scotland being spent on a sports event that will be menaingless to the majority of Glaswegians. No these games will be cursed , i guarantee you that Tim....
Tim what do you mean by "development & progress"? For all the money that is going to be squandered in Glasgow it wont make any differnence to the majority of people in glasgow. Do you live in glasgow Tim?If you do you will know fine well that there are more pressing priorities for the city than this albatross. The transport infrastructre plans presented are not sufficient enough for the games. We need a metropolitan subway, we need soemthing done about the ait pollution, we need somenting done about the crime and poverty. But nonsense like the Commonwealth games will not address these Glawegian issues. I suspect a lot of Glaswegians will do ther damndest to oppose and sabotage the games unless there can be a bigger commitment from the politicians to address Glasgows problems. So Tim what i am afraid of is money being spent that will bankrupt Scotland being spent on a sports event that will be menaingless to the majority of Glaswegians. No these games will be cursed , i guarantee you that Tim....
Posted by: Gerry Sweeney, Parkhead on 5:07pm Sun 11 Nov 07
I wonder if George has another reason for not wanting Glasgow to get the games.
I wonder if George has another reason for not wanting Glasgow to get the games.
Posted by: David Alexander, Best seat in the hoose on 6:41pm Sun 11 Nov 07
Robert in Dubai
Making money out of building projects is only good for er, Dubai.
Robert in Dubai
Making money out of building projects is only good for er, Dubai.
Posted by: Andymac, Norway on 8:14pm Sun 11 Nov 07
George, I live in Glasgow, (despite my temporary location in Norway) not only that but I grew up in the East End (Blackhill). So I feel qualified to disagree with you as I am sure many others here are too.
When I visit any friends or family still in the area, I am saddened by the continued deprivation and lack of aspiration of any kind that is there.
That is one of the reasons why I think the Games will be a good thing for the city. I don't uncritically believe that all will suddenly be wonderful or that the infrastructure issues you raise will magically be resolved. Of course not.
But if the Games mean that money comes into the East End in particular, city in general and if they also mean that children in Glasgow can see a future different to the poverty of ambition so many are blighted by now, then to me they will be a good thing.
We all need to work to ensure that they are a success as defined by us Glaswegians and that they leave a legacy of achievement and infrastructure improvemnts (Crossrail, anyone?) for the future.
Criticise by all means but at least make it constructive, carping and whingeing from the sidelines helps no-one.
George, I live in Glasgow, (despite my temporary location in Norway) not only that but I grew up in the East End (Blackhill). So I feel qualified to disagree with you as I am sure many others here are too.
When I visit any friends or family still in the area, I am saddened by the continued deprivation and lack of aspiration of any kind that is there.
That is one of the reasons why I think the Games will be a good thing for the city. I don't uncritically believe that all will suddenly be wonderful or that the infrastructure issues you raise will magically be resolved. Of course not.
But if the Games mean that money comes into the East End in particular, city in general and if they also mean that children in Glasgow can see a future different to the poverty of ambition so many are blighted by now, then to me they will be a good thing.
We all need to work to ensure that they are a success as defined by us Glaswegians and that they leave a legacy of achievement and infrastructure improvemnts (Crossrail, anyone?) for the future.
Criticise by all means but at least make it constructive, carping and whingeing from the sidelines helps no-one.
Posted by: Los Angeles, Edinburgh on 11:44pm Sun 11 Nov 07
George Claims Games A Fire Breathing Dragon[quote]This will be a nightmare for Glasgow.[/quote]Please quote profit and loss, chapter and verse? Is the money coming out of your pocket - your actual pocket? Or is it just a hazy emotional reaction to a happiness you think unwarranted and undeserved?
[bold]"Glaswegians are not comfortable with joy!!!"[/bold]
If it is not your money at risk why the moan? And why do you feel able to appoint your self spokesperson for folk yet to complain?
When it's your turn to buy a round at the bar do you refuse on the grounds it will increase a feeling of well-being in your pals. Only if a friend is actually dying of thirst do you buy a pint, and even them it is iced-water. No point in squandering hard earned cash.
Miserable - eh?
George Claims Games A Fire Breathing Dragon
This will be a nightmare for Glasgow.
Please quote profit and loss, chapter and verse? Is the money coming out of your pocket - your actual pocket? Or is it just a hazy emotional reaction to a happiness you think unwarranted and undeserved?
"Glaswegians are not comfortable with joy!!!"
If it is not your money at risk why the moan? And why do you feel able to appoint your self spokesperson for folk yet to complain?
When it's your turn to buy a round at the bar do you refuse on the grounds it will increase a feeling of well-being in your pals. Only if a friend is actually dying of thirst do you buy a pint, and even them it is iced-water. No point in squandering hard earned cash.
Miserable - eh?
Posted by: James McConway, Glasgow on 6:56pm Tue 20 Nov 07
George
Are you sure you are from glasgow I feel your comments are out of order. the way you go on about glasgow you sound as if you hate this beautifull city. sure there`s crime, druggies, etc but such an event will let glasgow flourish as did the garden festival, champions leage final, etc. Also the money we will spend on creating the stadiums etc the whole of scotland will benifit ten fold. imagine we didn`t get it
George
Are you sure you are from glasgow I feel your comments are out of order. the way you go on about glasgow you sound as if you hate this beautifull city. sure there`s crime, druggies, etc but such an event will let glasgow flourish as did the garden festival, champions leage final, etc. Also the money we will spend on creating the stadiums etc the whole of scotland will benifit ten fold. imagine we didn`t get it
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