ISSUE 8 WINTER 2007/2008 Glasgow wins the race! How the bid was won | What comes next | Pune update THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES COUNCIL FOR SCOTLAND NEWSLETTER The magic monent Message from the Queen I send my warm congratulations to everyone involved in Glasgow’s successful bid to hold the 2014 Commonwealth Games: the third time that a Scottish city has been chosen as the venue for the Games. My good wishes go to you all, and to the people of Glasgow, as you celebrate this impressive achievement. Glasgow wins race for 2014 Games ELIZABETH R. “The host for the 2014 Commonwealth Games will be Glasgow!” These were the words of Mike Fennell, the Scottish Athletes’ Commission. The For the presentation party and the Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Commission played a key role in many Glasgow 2014 delegation, who had been Federation and the ones which hundreds aspects of the Bid plans including the allowed to squeeze into the back of the of thousands of Scots who had given village and venues and they took an room for the voting, it was a very long their backing to the Bid were waiting to active part in both the outward and eight minutes whilst the votes were hear. inward visits. Jamie had delegates counted. When the moment finally captivated as he recalled his own athlete arrived it was announced that Glasgow After a tense but exciting week in story and the importance of the support had beaten Abuja by 47 votes to 24 with Colombo for the Bid Team and its of family and friends when achieving the all 71 countries taking part in the vote. partners, there to make their final pitch ultimate honour of representing your to the other 70 voting nations, it came country and achieving your best. “Our Huge celebrations ensued both in down to the final dramatic presentations Team will do that little bit more for all of Sri Lanka and back in Glasgow at venues from both Glasgow and then Abuja before you” he said. “To make sure that every across the city and across Scotland. the votes were cast. athlete that comes to Glasgow in 2014 However it wasn’t long before it was back has the chance to do themselves, their to business for the officials from each of Louise Martin, Chairman of the country and their families proud.” the parties (Government, Glasgow City Commonwealth Games Council for Council and CGCS), with the immediate Scotland, led off for Glasgow. In probably The Glasgow 2014 Bid has enjoyed signing of the host city contract. the most significant speech of her life unrivalled cross-party political support she said: “Glasgow will provide the most from the highest level. This was clearly on The 9th November 2007 will surely be a athlete-centred Games ever. A Games show in Sri Lanka with the First Minister day to remember and with the promise of that will inspire everyone for generations. Alex Salmond taking up the anchor leg more excitement to come in 2014! A Games that will have grown and in the presentation on behalf of the developed when we pass the baton to the Scottish Government, next host city.” after replacing Jack McConnell earlier this She was followed by Glasgow City year. “The Commonwealth Council Leader Stephen Purcell, who Games really do matter to told of his immense pride in Glasgow Scotland”, he said. as “a great world city, a city which is rebuilding and renewing and looking “They matter because to the future with confidence”. And he they are the only multi- illustrated how the Games would play sport games in which a huge part in that continued change. our nation competes, as He reminded delegates that 70% of ourselves, ’as Scotland’. the facilities are already in place and of the warm welcome which would await “And they matter if the ‘Friendly Games’ were awarded to because membership Glasgow. of the Commonwealth sits at the heart of the Jamie Quarry, decathlon bronze medallist internationalism which Scotland celebrates from Manchester, spoke on behalf of defines our country.” “The Board and members of the Nigeria Olympic Committee congratulate the CGCS, the Bid team and the entire sport-loving people of Glasgow on your spectacular winning of the 2014 Commonwealth Games Bid. There is no doubt that Glasgow had put a lot of effort and enthusiasm into the Bid, hence your success in 2 Colombo on 9 November was well deserved.” Banji Oladapo, Scretary-General Nigeria NOC Congratulations... Minister for Communities and Sport, Stewart Maxwell, said: “This is a victory not just for the city, but for the whole of Scotland. I am certain the Games will not only be the greatest sporting showcase our nation has ever seen, but will act as a catalyst for regeneration in some of most disadvantaged communities and serve as a launch-pad for creating a lasting sporting legacy for our country. I think the Games win has shown just what Scotland can achieve when we work together and we need to build on that spirit as we approach 2014 to deliver a spectacular festival of sport.” The athletes celebrate Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair of sportscotland said it was fantastic news. “Hosting such a high profile event will undoubtedly help to drive What now for the Games? sport forward at all levels, increasing participation and On 14th November the First Minister, Alex Salmond, gave a statement improving performance. to the Scottish Parliament about the way forward now Glasgow has “It will provide Scottish athletes with won the right to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014. the advantage of competing and being supported on home soil. And as importantly, it will give coaches, officials and volunteers The plan for the first 100 days: the experience of a lifetime.” Paul Bush OBE, Chief The appointment of the Chair of the The organising company will be Operating Officer organising company and to have set charged with turning the 240 page EventScotland and in motion the recruitment of other Bid document into reality. This is no Chef de Mission 2006 key personnel who will lead on the simple task and so the organising Scottish Commonwealth delivery of the Games. company will be required to produce Games Team said: “The detailed business plans, setting out energy, commitment and The development of a rolling precisely what will be done, when determination displayed by the Glasgow business plan for the first three and at what cost. 2014 Bid team has been inspirational and years of the operation of the these qualities have been vital in securing organising company. These plans will be scrutinised in the Commonwealth Games. detail by the Glasgow 2014 Strategic Consultation on plans to secure a “The build up to the Games, the Games Group. This will be chaired by the lasting legacy for all of Scotland themselves and their legacy will have a First Minister with representatives from the Games. profound impact on Scotland. We look from each of the three key parties. forward to working with the Games Subject to Parliamentary timetables, The Group will ensure the co- Organising Committee to help deliver the to get the Glasgow Commonwealth ordination of government agenices, best ever Commonwealth Games and to Games Bill on the statute book both national and local, to deliver ensure Scotland derives maximum benefit before the summer recess which will the Games Bid committments on from being the host nation.” be one of two formal mechanisms behalf of the Games organising required to deliver the Games. This committee. Scottish Swimming Chief will provide protection from ambush Executive Ashley Howard is marketing and ticket touting, looking forward to a successful enabling the Games’ transport 2014 Games in the pool, after plan to be put in place, ensuring Scotland’s swimmers won 12 that the ownership of land needed medals at the 2006 Games in for the Games is secured and that Melbourne. Howard said: “The all projects are delivered on time support our athletes and coaches enjoyed and on budget. It will also put the in Melbourne 18 months ago is nothing compared with the home support we will funding mechanisms in place to have here in seven years time.” support the Games. The second mechanism is to Former Labour First Minister establish the organising company, Jack McConnell, whose Glasgow 2014 Ltd, which will be administration launched the crucial to the delivery of the Games. Bid, Said: “This is fantastic It is owned jointly by Scottish news for Glasgow and Ministers, Glasgow City Council and for Scotland. I hope that the Commonwealth Games Council Scots are inspired by the for Scotland, the same successful excitement the Games will bring and the tripartitie approach which was Commonwealth enjoys the best ever Games in 2014.” crucial in securing the Bid. The host city contract is signed 3 The road to Sri Lanka August 2002 July – October 2007 First Minister Jack McConnell, inspired by 68 Commonwealth countries visit Glasgow the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, ‘The Friendly City’ to see the proposals first agrees to explore the idea of a Scottish Bid. hand. March 2004 CGCS launches the contest to select a preferred candidate city. September 2004 September 2006 Glasgow selected by CGCS as its preferred Major Supporters come on board to ‘Back the candidate city and detailed feasibility study Bid’: BBC Scotland, Clydesdale Bank, Diageo, commences. First Group, Highland Spring, O2. August 2005 September 2007 Jack McConnell announces the Scottish The Evaluation Commission report commends Government’s support for Glasgow’s Bid to Glasgow’s Bid, stating Glasgow has a host the 2014 Commonwealth Games. complete and well-researched candidature file.