Scotland’s biggest city, Glasgow, has been awarded the right to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) at its meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The 71 member nations and territories of the Commonwealth voted in favour of Glasgow over the Nigerian capital of Abuja, by 47 votes to 24, to conduct the 20th Commonwealth Games.
The result means Scotland will stage its first Commonwealth Games since Edinburgh played host in 1986. The Games will run for 12 days from July 23 to August 4, 2014.
CGF President, Mike Fennell, congratulated Glasgow on its success.
“Glasgow put forward a very strong, very professional bid for the Games and they were always going to be hard to beat,” Mr Fennell said.
“We are extremely confident that the country, the city, and its organising committee will deliver excellent Games in 2014.”
“It was evident from the presentation that we received today that Glasgow will be passionate about welcoming the Commonwealth in 2014, and the people of the city and all of Scotland will get right behind the athletes and make the Games an outstanding success.”
Mr Fennell also praised Abuja for its strong bid.
“We had two very realistic options before us and I hope that Abuja will consider renewing their candidature for the 2018 Games as it is important that the hosting of the Games involves all regions of the Commonwealth and we hope that we will see them in Africa in the not too distant future.”
“The competitive nature of the process has really produced a strong result for everyone involved in the Commonwealth Games movement.”
“Glasgow has shown enormous professionalism in putting the bid together and we are very confident that they will back that up now with a strong organising committee and one that recognises the necessary partnerships required in making the Games a success.”
“Our evaluation commission came away very impressed with the plans Glasgow have for the Games.”
“People of Glasgow are passionate about their sport. We know we will get good spectator support across all events and we are very confident that the Games in Glasgow will attract the necessary commercial support as well.”
Speaking on behalf of the Glasgow bid after its victory was Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond.
“Today’s announcement is the culmination of years of hard work and I want to congratulate everyone involved in this Bid process.” Mr Salmond said. “We put together a great bid and this was recognised by the voters.”
“To quote the CGF Evaluation Commission report ‘Glasgow has demonstrated the ability to stage the 2014 Commonwealth Games to a standard which would continue to enhance the image and prestige of the Games’.”
“But it’s all of us – the people of Scotland – who have helped to make our Games dream a reality”
“The enthusiasm and excitement shown by people across the country did not go unnoticed. It’s up to us all now to keep building the buzz to make sure we put on an electrifying Games and to make sure that we make the most of this wonderful opportunity.”
The Glasgow Games will include 17 sports: Aquatics (Swimming and Diving), Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Cycling (Road, Mountain Bike and Track), Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Lawn Bowls, Netball, Rugby 7s, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis, Triathlon, Weightlifting and Wrestling.
While the spotlight will fall on Glasgow in seven years time, Delhi in India will host the next Commonwealth Games from October 3 to 14, 2010.
Commonwealth Games Host Cities
1930, Hamilton, Canada
1934, London, England
1938, Sydney, Australia
1950, Auckland, New Zealand
1954, Vancouver, Canada
1958, Cardiff, Wales
1962, Perth, Australia
1966, Kingston, Jamaica
1970, Edinburgh, Scotland
1974, Christchurch, New Zealand
1978, Edmonton, Canada
1982, Brisbane, Australia
1986, Edinburgh, Scotland
1990, Auckland, New Zealand
1994, Victoria, Canada
1998, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2002, Manchester, England
2006, Melbourne, Australia
2010, Delhi, India (3-14 Oct)
2014, Glasgow, Scotland (July 23-August 4)
For further information, please contact CGF Media Services manager, Ian Chesterman, on
The CGF Media website is located at www.sportcom.com.au/cgf.html