Today (23 July), James McCallum (Commonwealth Games bronze medallist) joined the Minister for Public Health and Sport, Shona Robison at the site of the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome to mark the five year countdown to the opening ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Celtic Park.
The ceremony will launch the biggest multi-sports event Scotland has ever hosted, attracting 6500 athletes and officials from the 71 nations of the Commonwealth, as well as hundreds of thousands of spectators from around the world.
In the run up to the 2014, preparations will be on-going to deliver the Games, providing athletes with an outstanding sporting experience and showcasing Scotland as a country with world-class sporting venues, a passionate and proud population, and a vibrant, stylish and diverse culture.
Demonstrating exactly what can be achieved over the next five years, the Glasgow 2014 partners – Glasgow 2014, the Organising Committee for the Games, Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS), the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and the Commonwealth Games Federation – will work together to deliver a fantastic Games, leaving a strong and lasting sporting, social and economic legacy across Scotland.
Glasgow 2014 is responsible for the smooth delivery of the Games. This will include delivering the sports programme, monitoring the development of new and improved infrastructure, ensuring all venues are Games-ready and meet the specifications of the international sports federations, and recruiting and training 15,000 volunteers needed for the Games.
John Scott, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014 said, ”Our ambition is to host an outstanding, truly athlete-focused Games that showcases Scotland to the world. Meticulous planning will be required and a real attention to detail – from the athletes’ dietary requirements in the 300,000 meals served, 24/7 over the11 days in the athletes’ village, to providing for the religious requirements of the athletes and officials, through to security and travel arrangements for the 200 Royalty and Heads of States who will be attending the Games and recruiting and training the 15000 volunteers that we’ll need at Games time. We have a massive task ahead, but we’re all very excited about it and are confident that the people of Glasgow and Scotland will be right with us to support a truly world class event.”
The focus for Commonwealth Games Scotland will be to select, prepare and manage the team, who will have the privilege of being the very last team to enter the stadium to the tumultuous applause of the Scottish home crowd.
Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of CGS said, “The next five years offer unrivalled opportunities for Scotland’s athletes aiming to be on the podium at Glasgow 2014. We are under no illusions that a successful home Games will depend on a successful home team and for this we need to continue to have the whole of the Scottish sporting system behind us prioritising the Games.
“In particular, new facilities in Glasgow like the velodrome will transform the training and competition options for our talented young cyclists who aspire to follow in Chris Hoy’s footsteps and will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
Minister for public Health and Sport Shona Robison said: “This Government has been working hard since our successful bid to bring the Commonwealth Games to Glasgow in 2014. We want to ensure that these Games are a memorable sporting occasion but we also want the whole of Scotland to benefit from hosting this event, not only in the short term, but for generations to come.
“We want to create a lasting legacy which will leave people from all backgrounds, in every area of Scotland, better off from this experience. Our priority is to get the country moving. We want to see more people physically active and living long, healthy lives. Our legacy plans will breathe new life into communities, create a strong and flourishing economy, enhance our reputation across the globe and ensure the whole of Scotland is fit for the future.”
Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The next five years will be very exciting as we witness a key stage in the ongoing transformation and regeneration of Glasgow, with the delivery of many infrastructure projects that will be of enormous benefit to the city and country. These projects include the Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village, the completion of the M74, the refurbishment of Scotstoun Stadium, the National Arena at the SECC, the National Indoor Sports Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, the continued regeneration of the Clyde and the expansion of retailing centres in the UK’s biggest shopping centre outside of London.
“While some of these are directly related to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, all will play a vital part in delivering a memorable Games for Glasgow, Scotland and our visitors. It is important to remember that beyond the Games, each of these projects will for many years be a key factor in the city’s social, physical and economic wellbeing, so it is fair to say that the next five years will be a momentous period in Glasgow’s history. There are now tremendous opportunities in Glasgow – for example, we are well on our way to delivering our commitment to provide an apprenticeship place for every suitably-qualified Glasgow school leaver this year, a major part of our efforts to ensure the Games leave a lasting legacy for the city.”
The Glasgow 2014 Games may be five years away but work is well underway to deliver a Games that will be outstanding and remembered. This five year moment is a key milestone, marking all that has been achieved and the many positive changes that’s still to come before and after the Games.
Seventeen year old Kevin Stewart is a relative newcomer to cycling. He had been a swimmer, then turned triathlete but, enjoying the cycling part more than the other two disciplines he made the switch to track just over two years ago.
Fortunately the local Discovery Junior Cycling Club had just been created to encourage youngsters to get involved in track cycling. Scottish Cycling recognised his talent and selected him for its Junior Talent Programme. At the same time he was selected for the Tayside & Fife Institute of Sport where he has benefitted from a range of support services. Strength and conditioning training has been a key focus with the aim being to maximise strength and explosive power in his legs through basic squatting exercises, and to promote general upper body and core strength and stability to allow him to transfer this strength and power effectively whilst on the bike.
Of course the test that really counts is on two wheels in the velodrome. At last summer’s British Junior Championships he won the silver medal in the keirin, the event Chris Hoy has dominated in the last two years, and produced another silver medal in team sprint at the Senior Nationals.
By being selected for the Olympic Development Programme (ODP) this year he is following a similar path to Hoy and would love to follow in his footsteps, but knows there is a long hard road ahead.
“I was overjoyed to be selected for the ODP because it’s the first stepping stone up the ranks,” said Kevin, who now makes a regular commute to the programme’s base in Manchester.
“There’s a lot more specific training involved, they give you the latest equipment and take you abroad for racing.”
Still a junior Kevin has his clear goals for the 2009 season. He is just back from last week’s U23 Junior European Championships in Minsk where he got his first taste of serious international action for GB. He finished 5th in the individual sprint and after winning his heat he sadly crashed out in the semi-final of the Kieran, but recovered to contest the minor final and took 11th place overall. Along with fellow Scot Callum Skinner and Lewis Olivia they finished 7th in the Team Sprint. Whilst a little disappointed with his performance, he understands that at this stage of his development it is all about getting experience and he now knows what to expect when he goes to the Junior World Championships in Moscow next month.
Kevin is also hoping he might post a qualifying time for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi next year, but his sights are firmly set on being part of the home Scottish team when the Games come to Glasgow in 2014.
“I am really excited about the prospect of competing for Scotland at a home Games. The next five years will hopefully see me establish myself as a senior athlete and put me in the mix when the Games come to Glasgow. Having such an excellent new facility on the doorstep will be amazing and help my training regime enormously, as well as giving Scottish riders a distinct competitive advantage riding on their home track in front of a passionate Scottish crowd.”
Whilst Kevin is at the start of his senior cycling journey, for Uddingston man James McCallum the challenge is to do it all over again for 2010 and perhaps again in 2014.
A bronze medallist in the 20km scratch race in Melbourne 2006, James had moved into a co-ordination role with Scottish Cycling hoping to help others to follow in his footsteps. But now the lure of the action on both the track and the road in Delhi 2010 is too much for him to ignore and he has decided to get back on his bike.
For 30 year old James the benefits of a state of the art track in Glasgow have possibly come too late, but he is under no illusion about what it will do to help up and coming youngsters in the future.
Joining the Games partners on the site of the new velodrome to celebrate five years to go until the start of the Games James said: “Scotland has strong cycling credentials and with a success story like Chris Hoy, the interest in cycling has never been greater. An indoor velodrome will give talented youngsters a wonderful boost and aid their development at an earlier stage. It will also benefit cyclists like myself who just missed out on selection for GB squads yet still had the potential to win medals for Scotland.”
There is no doubt that the next five years will be an exciting time for Scotland’s athletes, determined to make the most of the opportunities that a home Games brings.
The latest issue of Countdown is out now;
19 year old Stephanie Twell, three time European junior cross country champion, World junior 1500m champion and a member of Team GB at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, has this week declared her intention to compete for Scotland at international level.
Stephanie was born in Colchester but is eligible to run for Scotland as her mother Isobel is from Paisley. Stephanie’s application was approved by scottishathletics and represents a significant boost for the sport in the countdown to London 2012 and Glasgow 2014.
Twell said: “This is something that we have considered for a year or two and I knew in my heart that I would always opt for Scotland. The time is right for that and my family – in particular my mother, who is from Paisley – are pleased with my decision.
“Whenever I’ve raced in Scotland, I‘ve always been made to feel very welcome, and that’s another reason for my decision.
“I would love to compete in Glasgow in 2014 in a Scottish vest. That’s going to be an amazing experience, but right now I am just concentrating on getting the best out of myself this summer. The women’s 1500m has suddenly become an exciting event in Britain and the competition is extremely hot. I need to work on improving with every race.”
Welcoming the move, Michael Cavanagh, Chairman, Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “We are delighted that Steph has decided to compete for Scotland. She is a remarkable young talent and we look forward to welcoming her as part of the Scottish team at future Commonwealth Games.”
She will next compete in Scotland in the 800m in the televised match event at Grangemouth Stadium on August 26th.
With only 596 days until the start of the next Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October 2010, Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) announced today the people appointed to form the General Team Management. This group of key individuals, supported by the CGS Board, will lead the planning and preparation of the team and will be joined by other staff over the next 20 months.
In addition to the extensive preparation programme developed by the CGS, all staff will benefit from the CGS’s latest sponsorship deal with The Leadership Trust. This will provide leadership management training at their centre in Ross-on-Wye.
Announcing the team staff, CGS Chairman Michael Cavanagh said: “I am delighted that we now have our General Team Management in place for Delhi. October 2010 sounds a long way off, but it is essential that the planning starts now. The Games have never been to India and this will present some new challenges for all participating countries. Many Scottish athletes will not have competed in that part of the world before, so it is vital that we continue to plan meticulously for the unique circumstances of every Games.
“I am confident we have selected a team of experienced individuals who will be able to ensure that the best possible preparations for our team are in place. I am also sure that they will benefit enormously from the training that is being provided by The Leadership Trust. I would like to thank The Trust for their support and welcome them on board as one of our team commercial partners.”
Paul Winter, CEO of The Leadership Trust said: “It is a privilege to be involved with CGS; not only in their preparation for success in the Games in Delhi, but also in how they can use that experience to inspire future generations. “
Team appointments are as follows:
Chef De Mission – Jon Doig (Menstrie).
Jon is the CGS Chief Executive and was the General Team Manager for the 2006 Games and a team staff member at both the 2002 and 1998 Games.
General Team Manager – Vicky Strange (Fintry).
Vicky is the former Manager of the Tayside and Fife Area Institute of Sport and was a member of the Scottish Team Holding Camp staff in 2006. She also worked as part of an external review team into Scottish Team operations at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games. As well as General Team Manager for 2010, Vicky has been appointed as the CGS’s first full time Games Team Operations Manager and will take up the post in mid April.
Deputy General Team Manager, Village Operations – Gina Logan (Cupar).
Gina was the Scottish Swimming Team Manager for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne that saw the swimmers win 12 medals to become Scotland’s most successful ever sport at a single Games.
Deputy General Team Manager, Transport Operations – Leslie Roy (Glasgow).
Leslie was Athletics Team Manager in 2002 and 2006 and Deputy General Team Manager of the Scottish Commonwealth Youth Games Team in both 2004 and 2008.
Head of Medical Services/ Head Doctor – Dr Niall Elliot (Dundee).
Niall is Head of Sports Medicine for the Tayside and Fife Area Institute of Sport and was a member of the Team GB medical team for the 2006 Winter Olympics and 2003 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival.
Deputy Head of Medical Services/ Head Physiotherapist – Lindsay Thomson (East Linton). Lindsay was Team Physiotherapist at the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games and joint Head Physiotherapist for the Commonwealth Youth Games Teams in both Bendigo 2004 and Pune 2008.
Head of Media- Katriona Bush (Glendevon, Nr Dollar)
Katriona was Head of Media for the Scottish Team at both the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games and the 2000 Commonwealth Youth Games in Edinburgh. She was also a member of the Team GB media team for both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games running the media operation at the Team GB Holding Camps.
Office Manager – Adrienne Sunderland (Kippen).
Adrienne is the CGS Office Manager and supported the team at the 2006 Games.
An initial site visit to Delhi is planned for the General Team Management in April this year. Further appointments in medical and media support and Sport Team Leaders will follow over the next few months.
Also announced today, Paul Bush, Chef de Mission in 2006 and General Team Manager in 2002 will head up Scotland’s Scottish Centre operation. The centre will play a key role not only as a base for team activities, family, friends and sponsors but also for the promotion of Glasgow 2014 who become the next host city at the close of the Delhi Games.
Glasgow City Council will this week consider – at its Executive Committee on Friday 26 June – a report recommending the preferred development partner, the City Legacy consortium, to deliver the 2014 Commonwealth Games Athletes Village.
The successful development of the 38.5 hectares site in Dalmarnock, in the heart of the Clyde Gateway project, is a key component in the delivery of the Games. The Village will provide accommodation and facilities for 6,500 competitors and officials.
After the Games, the Village will become a desirable new residential community including private housing, 300 homes for rent and a new 120 bed care home for the elderly. The removal of the temporary facilities within the Athletes’ Village after the Games will release additional land for further residential development.
The proposal for the Village has high design and environmental standards and will deliver a highly desirable new residential neighbourhood within Glasgow’s East End.
The masterplan submitted by City Legacy will deliver a 95% reduction in carbon emissions from the new homes to be constructed – a first in Scotland for a development of this scale, of over 1400 homes and the care home.
Through the development of the Village, the successful development partner will be expected to bring community benefits to the city by generating employment and training opportunities and creating opportunities for small to medium sized enterprises and social enterprises.
One example of this is the number of new jobs – 93 – that will be created as part of an overall direct workforce of 620. 60 of these will be apprentices. The partnering agreements with sub-contractors and suppliers will see 36 new jobs being created there, 24 of which will be apprentices. The indirect workforce will be around 200.
After inviting interested parties to submit initial masterplans illustrating how they would develop the site, the three consortia on the final shortlist were considered by Glasgow City Council in the final months of the project, before the final scoring process and selection was made.
Throughout the entire process, the businesses involved had to show that they had the appropriate resources, knowledge, skills and experience to deliver the master planning, funding, construction and re-use of the Athletes’ Village.
The key criteria of the scoring process included project design, project delivery, infrastructure impact, community benefits and contractual, financial and legal details.
Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The Athletes’ Village will be one of the most recognisable aspects of the legacy of the 2014 Commonwealth Games – and certainly one of the most important – and I am delighted to say that the process to identify a development partner attracted a number of absolutely outstanding masterplans. The fact that the private sector has demonstrated such confidence in this project shows that Glasgow continues to be an attractive place to do business, and I look forward to the successful delivery of a key part of the Games and later, the creation of a stunning new neighbourhood for the city as Glasgow’s regeneration continues. The construction of the Athletes’ Village will create fantastic opportunities for local people and businesses to show the world what Glasgow can do.”
Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “The Village lies at the heart of every Commonwealth Games and is the one place that sums up the whole Games experience for the athletes. It is therefore great to see the plans for Glasgow’s Village taking shape and Commonwealth Games Scotland welcomes this important first step.”
John Scott, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014 Limited, the Organising Committee for the Commonwealth Games, said: “We aspire to deliver an outstanding, athlete-focused Games in 2014 and the development of a high quality Athletes’ Village forms an important part of that ambition. Of course the legacy to the East End of Glasgow is also hugely important and we believe this development will be able to meet the aspirations of all the Games’ partners.”
While Glasgow City Council shall make the Village site available at nil cost initially in order to reduce borrowing requirements, the appointed development partner will enter into a profit sharing arrangement with the Council at the end of the project.
Images, including video of how the site appears now and what it will look like during the 2014 Commonwealth Games and after, are available on request from Glasgow City Council.
Triple Olympic and Double Commonwealth Champion Chris Hoy has been knighted for services to sport.
Sir Chris, who took gold in the team sprint, the men’s sprint and the keirin at last summer’s Beijing Olympics received his knighthood from Prince Charles in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace last Thursday. Chris was joined at Buckingham Palace by his mother who received an MBE for services to healthcare.
Further information on the ceremony as well as an interview with Sir Chris and his mother Carol can be found using the following links to the BBC website:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8095229.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8094527.stm
Former badminton international and seven-times national mixed doubles champion Christine Black is Badminton Scotland’s new President.
The 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games Badminton Team Manager, who won 56 Scotland caps in a glittering international career from 1977-1990, took office at the annual meeting of the Scottish Badminton Union in Stirling on Sunday.
Black, who has gone from Scotland player to team manager at major tournaments and is still enjoying success as a player on the international Seniors circuit, succeeds Leon Douglas (West Lothian) as President.
The new President, who is married to the former international hammer thrower Chris Black, said: “I have played badminton since I was 12 years old and this is one of the greatest honours in my career. I am looking forward to serving my sport over the next two years and putting something back into a game that has given me so much.”