Media Release - 23rd January 2007

Glasgow announce Bid for 2014 Commonwealth games

Glasgow 2014 announced a few days ago their sports programme within their bid to stage the 2014 Commonwealth Games (details and supporting statements below)

They are in opposition with Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Abuja, Nigeria. All bidding cities are required to lodge their detailed bids at the London HQ of Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) on 8th May 2007 with the decison on the host city being made on 9th November 2007 at the CGF General Assembly in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Alan Cross, Secretary to the Commonwealth Games Assocation of Jersey will be mandated to take Jersey 's vote to that Assembly.

Glasgow ' bid includes 17 sports.

The sports selected are:

• Athletics
• Aquatics
• Boxing
• Badminton
• Squash
• Weightlifting
• Lawn Bowls
• Hockey
• Rugby 7s (Men)
• Netball (Women)
• Cycling
• Shooting
• Wrestling
• Judo
• Gymnastics
• Table Tennis
• Triathlon

Speaking at the event in Glasgow 's Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena, the First Minister said:

“Today's announcement is about more than confirming the sports that will be in the Games - it is about looking into the future and imagining what those Games will look like. In those eleven days sport would transform a city, inspire a country and enthral millions of people. Glasgow 2014 will be an event like no other, one that the whole world will want to be a part of.

“These Games will give Scots the chance to shine. From the athletes who will make the most of home soil advantage, to the thousands of volunteers who will look after the spectators at the venues, the Games will be something for our whole country to get behind.

“Our Bid is incredibly strong. We have the funding in place, we have support from the public in huge numbers and now we have the sports. We have ten months left to make sure that when the voters sit down in Sri Lanka and cast their vote, they do so for Scotland . I know that we can do it.”

Louise Martin of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland said:

“Getting the sports right is a crucial part of the bidding process. We have to make sure that we give ourselves the best opportunity for Scottish success, but we have to select the sports that will satisfy voters from all of the countries of the Commonwealth.

“The sports that we have selected do just that. We have spoken to voters from around the world and taken their advice on what sports they want to see at Glasgow 2014. We have made sure that the views of all countries, big and small, have been taken into account. This means that our Games will be a spectacular celebration of sport and of the Commonwealth itself.

“This has been a challenging process and some difficult decisions have had to be made along the way. I congratulate the sports that have made it into our Sports Programme and commiserate with the ones who have missed out. Now we go out and win.”

Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council said:

“A Glasgow Games would be an unforgettable experience for the people of Scotland , the athletes who take part and for the hundreds of millions of people who would watch around the world.

“The sports that have been selected will show off our great city at its best. Medals will be won and lost in world class venues. Personal bests will be broken in front of spectacular backdrops. New records will be set, with the athletes roared on by a passionate Scottish crowd. Our Games will encourage athletes to have the performance of their lives.

“Our message to the voters is the same as it was on the day that we launched the Bid. We will deliver for you. This country has hosted a major event in all of the 17 selected sports. We have the experience and we have the desire to win.”

The Process

1. All the sports within the membership of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland were asked to indicate interest in being considered. Submissions were then assessed by the CGCS with input from bid partners using a set of criteria given to all sports. This looked at items such as the strength and appeal of the sports across the Commonwealth, the likely spread of medal success and potential legacy from inclusion of the sport.

2. In November 2006 the Commonwealth Games Federation agreed major changes in its approach to sports being allowed in the Games. They decided there should be three categories:

Category 1. Core or compulsory sports. There are ten of these

Category 2. A list of sports eligible for inclusion in the Games from which each bidding city can draw up to 7 sports

Category 3: Those sports recognised by the CGF but really for development purposes. They cannot be included in the Games as yet.

Our Sports Programme combines all these points. It includes the 10 core sports and seven other sports.