First Minister Alex Salmond today said we owe it to Scotland to deliver a real, positive and lasting legacy from the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

And while the funding for the Games and its supporting infrastructure has already been agreed between central and local government, the First Minister said that there was an overwhelming case for pursuing Lottery funding to support the legacy plans.
The First Minister was speaking at Hampden Park, Glasgow where he launched the consultation document which aims to engage the people of Scotland in the discussion about development of a Commonwealth Games legacy.
Mr Salmond said:

”My total elation after Glasgow won the 2014 Commonwealth Games is well documented, as is my commitment to support the first class delivery of the Games – the biggest sporting event ever to be hosted in Scotland.

“Today I want to stress my absolute commitment to securing a positive, real and lasting legacy for the people of Scotland following the Games.

”The Games has the potential to inspire long term change in Scotland by developing new skills, improving people’s health and reaping the full benefit of the global coverage of Glasgow and Scotland as host to a major, international sporting event.

“The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring the legacy is the right one. Not just for the people of Glasgow – for everyone living, working and visiting Scotland. This is why we have launched this consultation, to listen and talk to Scotland’s people and organisations to establish what they want the lasting effects of the Games to be.

“The commitment of Government and our key partners is reflected in the full funding of the Games including the stadium and infrastructure.

What we want to encourage and believe we have a strong case for is Lottery funding to enable us to secure a lasting legacy.

“It is well known that the funding for the London Olympics is costing Lottery good causes in Scotland some £150 million. It is entirely reasonable therefore to call for an equivalent sum to be returned to Scotland to help us deliver a real, lasting legacy for the whole of Scotland.

“The entire country is behind the 2014 Games. Consultation on the legacy is a first step in the process – the next steps will include pursuing lottery funding and developing our detailed legacy plans.”

Councillor Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, said:

“There’s no question that the Commonwealth Games is the single biggest event that Glasgow could hope to host and they will enhance the city’s prosperity.

“However, I want everyone in the city to benefit from the legacy the Games will bring, and that means some of our citizens will need support, particularly in areas like unemployment and health inequalities.

“We have been presented with the best chance in a generation, and possibly a lifetime, to improve the lives and raise the aspirations of every Glaswegian. This consultation process will allow us to ensure that all of Glasgow’s citizens have the opportunity to reap the benefit.”

Michael Cavanagh, Chair of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland said:

“On behalf of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, I welcome the publication of the 2014 Legacy Consultation.

“When the Games Council first investigated holding the Games in Scotland back in 2002, and then developed partnerships with Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government to achieve that goal, legacy was a key driving force from the start of the process.

“This legacy was not only for our athletes and sports, but also for the wider impact on Glasgow and Scotland, in terms of the associated benefits outlined in the legacy consultation document.”

Sir Robert Smith, Chair of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Organising Company:

“The Games are about 11 days of world-class competition, but they are also about the provision of opportunities for generations to come.

“I very much welcome the decision by the First Minister to undertake a public
consultation on the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

“It is absolutely right that the public have the opportunity to respond to the ideas in the Legacy paper and express their views on the possible benefits arising from the Games.

“Through the Smith Group I’ve worked on finding solutions to help young people in Scotland access better opportunities for education, training and employment. I really hope that young people in particular will respond to the challenge and tell us what the Commonwealth Games could and should do for them.”

Members of the Commonwealth will visit Glasgow in June to attend the 2nd Commonwealth Sports Development Conference. Designed for sports practioners of all levels, the conference will focus on the range of sport and development initiatives across the Commonwealth and how these initiatives can raise the levels of grass roots participation and create pathways.
A number of those attending are representatives of the Commonwealth Games Associations who visited Glasgow last year as part of the 2014 Bid process and who voted for us on 9th November at the CGF General Assembly in Sri Lanka.
The conference will be held over two days 12-13 June in the Mitchell Library.
Full details and registration<a href=”/Resource.aspx?ID=821″>registration </a>
The Commonwealth Sports Awards Dinner will also take place during the conference – on Thursday 12 June at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Outstanding performances during 2007 from sportsmen and women from thoughout the Commonwealth will be recognised at this event. Previous winners include Paula Radcliffe, Ian Thorpe, Asafa Powell, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Silver Ferns Netball Team, Natalie du Toit.

John Scott, 56, will lead the Organising Company, the body responsible for delivering the Commonwealth Games. Currently the International Director and Director of Drug Free Sport at UK Sport, he has over 30 years of experience in domestic and international sport, including major events.

Speaking at a press conference in Glasgow today Mr Scott said he was “delighted at the opportunity to deliver the Games for Glasgow and Scotland.

“I’m passionate about sport and this is certainly the most exciting opportunity of my career. I’m determined that in 2014 the thousands of athletes, officials, spectators and those watching at home will experience the best Commonwealth Games ever staged.

“The hard work begins now, building on the outstanding foundation provided by the Bid Team. Through these Games, the whole Commonwealth will see what an amazing place Scotland is. With world-class facilities and venues, world – class competition and a fantastic cultural offering we also want to showcase the very best of the city of Glasgow.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with the partners in the Games – the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and the Commonwealth Games Federation – to make sure that we leave a strong and lasting sporting, social and economic legacy for the next generation in Scotland and throughout the Commonwealth”

Among Mr Scott’s wide-ranging responsibilities as chief executive include delivering the sports programme, monitoring the development of new and improved infrastructure, managing the staff of the OC which will rise to several hundred people by 2014, and recruiting and training the 15,000 volunteers needed for the Games. Following the exciting Bid Stage the immediate task for Mr Scott will be to establish the Organising Committee in preparation for the actual delivery of the Games following the Games in Delhi in 2010.

As planned from early in 2007, interim Chief Executive Derek Casey, who acted as Bid Director up until decision day on November 9th, will leave the OC to continue his international academic, sport and charity work as Mr Scott comes into post.

Sir Robert Smith, Chairman of the Organising Company for Glasgow 2014, welcomed Mr Scott’s appointment.

“John has extensive experience of major events and I’m sure will deliver an outstanding Games for Glasgow, Scotland and the Commonwealth in 2014. This is the biggest opportunity we will ever have to show the international community what a great country Scotland is and our capability at staging major events, and John has the leadership to deliver that.”

“Less than six months have passed since decision day on November 9th and the progress we’ve made so far has been outstanding. We have established the Organising Company, published an Operational Review of the Bid and met the key elements included in our original 100 day plan.

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said Mr Scott’s 30 years experience in major sporting events would be a significant factor in ensuring Glasgow 2014 were the best Commonwealth Games ever. He said:

“In John Scott and Sir Robert Smith, the team delivering the 2014 Games for Glasgow and Scotland are being led by massively experienced and ambitious individuals who have made it their primary objective to deliver the greatest sporting showcase ever seen in Scotland.

“The event might be six years away, but the work to deliver a successful and memorable Games – and a positive legacy for future generations across Scotland – are already well underway. John Scott’s appointment is another important milestone on the route to 2014.”

Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “We welcome this excellent appointment, as John has a great track record in dealing with sport at the highest level. I am certain that he will do an outstanding job in leading the Organising Company to deliver a great Commonwealth Games in 2014, an event that will leave a great legacy for Glasgow and Scotland.”

Sir robert and John Scott shaking hands at launch on bridge for web.jpgMichael Cavanagh, Chair of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland (CGCS) said:
“The Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland are delighted at the appointment of John Scott as the CEO of Glasgow 2014 Ltd. John brings significant experience in high level major events to this key role, as well as the leadership qualities he has shown during his time with UK Sport in recent years.
“I look forward to working closely with John and the other members of the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, to ensure that the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow are the most successful ever.”

The Glasgow 2014 Games will be the biggest multi-sports event that Scotland will ever host, bringing over 6,000 athletes and officials from 71 countries to the city to compete in 17 different sports over 11 days. With a budget of £375 million including public investment of £298m the Commonwealth Games are expected to bring significant sporting, economic and social benefits to Glasgow and Scotland.
John Scott Biography

John Scott will come into post as Chief Executive of the Organising Company of
Glasgow 2014 on August 4th 2008.
He is currently the International Director and Director of Drug Free Sport at UK Sport
where he is responsible for major events, international relations and leads the UK
national anti-doping organisation.
His first involvement in major sport event management came in the 1980s when he
was seconded to the Federal Government of Canada to set up a new division
managing the governments’ support for major events and international development.
He led the Canadian governments’ investment in the Victoria Commonwealth Games
(1994) and was a member of the bid committee for Canada’s successful bid to host
the 1999 Winnipeg Pan American Games.
He was heavily involved in the Federal Inquiry into doping in sport following Ben
Johnson’s positive drug test at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.
In 1999 he established the highly successful World Class Events Programme for UK
Sport, which uses Lottery money to bring major sporting events to the UK and has so
far delivered over 120 events across the whole of the UK. He has led the development
of a number of evaluation tools for major events including an economic impact model
that has become an industry standard, used to assess over 40 events in the UK,
including several in Scotland.
He was a Board member of the highly successful 2002 Manchester Commonwealth
Games and the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games, and a special adviser to the
government on the feasibility study for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic
Games bid. He has attended six Commonwealth and six Olympic Games in various
capacities.
John has also served on numerous international committees and working groups for
organisations such as the IOC, UNDP, UNESCO and the Commonwealth Secretariat,
and was the Chairman of the Council of Europe Committee for the Development of
Sport. He was the UK representative on the Commonwealth Advisory Committee on
Sport for 5 years. He is currently Vice President of the Association of National Anti
Doping Organisations.
He is married with three sons.

SIR ROBERT SMITH TO CHAIR
GLASGOW 2014 ORGANISING COMPANY

One of Scotland’s leading business figures has been appointed to a key role in delivering the “best ever Commonwealth Games” in Glasgow in 2014.

Sir Robert Smith, Chairman for The Weir Group plc, former CEO of Morgan Grenfell Private Equity and BBC Governor and Chairman for the Broadcasting Council for Scotland has been appointed as Chair of the body tasked with delivering the largest multi-sport event ever to be held in Scotland.

First Minister Alex Salmond was speaking at a news conference at Hampden Park earlier today before visiting the construction site of the Toryglen Indoor Training Facility which will be uses as a football facility during the Games.

The First Minister, who chairs the Glasgow 2014 Strategic Group which brings together the lead partners of the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, said this appointment was a major milestone in the Games delivery process.

Mr Salmond said: “I’m delighted to announce the appointment of Sir Robert Smith as the Chair of the Organising Committee of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“Sir Robert will bring a tremendous amount of experience and expertise to this hugely important role, as the leading individual responsible for turning Scotland’s Commonwealth Games dream into reality.

“He has a proven track record which I know will be essential for delivering an event which promises to be not only the best ever Commonwealth Games but the greatest sporting showcase our country has ever seen.

“I’ve been massively impressed by the enthusiasm shown across the length and breadth of Scotland for the Games so far and I’m sure people across the country will join me in wishing Sir Robert the very best of success for the crucial six years ahead.”

Sir Robert Smith said:

“It is a great honour to be appointed as Chairman of Glasgow 2014 Ltd – the Organising Committee for the Commonwealth Games. Staging the Games in 2014 provides a unique opportunity to stage a major international sports event and to leave a lasting legacy in so many areas of social and economic development in Glasgow and throughout Scotland.

“My job is to ensure that the Games in 2014 are brought in on time and on budget – that is absolutely the first priority. I am looking forward to building a team on the Organising Committee which will have the same focus and commitment to make these a great Games. I am also determined to maintain the strong partnership approach which so typified the work carried out over the last two years.

“We inherit a very strong foundation from all the hard work carried out in the successful bid phase. We now enter a second phase in which we will continue to refine our planning and turn our attention to the ultimate delivery of a Games in July 2014 for all the athletes who will join us from throughout the world. I hope that my experience around the world in a wide range of areas relevant to the Games from construction, broadcasting, sponsorship, fund-raising, finance, managementcorporate governance through to education and training will be of value over the next 7 years.”

“I’m very much looking forward to the challenges and excitement of the years to come. This is an extraordinary opportunity to demonstrate to the world our ability in Glasgow and Scotland to delivery an outstanding Event.”

Steven Purcell, the Leader of Glasgow City Council, said:

“Robert is a dynamic business leader and a great asset for the team which will deliver the Commonwealth Games in 2014. A great Glaswegian, he helped to raise millions for Kelvingrove and our new Riverside Museum on the banks of the Clyde. Robert has undoubtedly made his mark on the national and international business stage and has enjoyed an unrivalled track record of success.”

Michael Cavanagh, Chair of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland said:

“The Games Council welcomes the appointment of Sir Robert Smith to the Organising Company for the Games. With his long standing experience of business and commerce This is a very valuable appointment to help us move into the next phase of work for 2014 and will complete the skills and experience of the other Games partners. We look forward to working closely with Robert over the next 6 years to deliver a fantastic Games.”

At the Half Yearly Meeting of Council last night, Michael Cavanagh was elected Chairman, replacing Louise Martin CBE who has stood down after serving eight years in the role. He beat sitting Games Council Vice-Chairman, Richard Kenney in a vote taken by representatives of the Member Governing Bodies of Sport. Fiona McEwan (Badminton)was elected Vice-Chair and new members of the Board are Jackie Davidson (Cycling), Sandy Sutherland (Basketball).

Douglas Brown and Peter Monaghan retain their positions of Hon Secretary and Hon Treasurer respectively. Other members of the Board are Peter Nicolson (Tennis), elected for a third term as Director and Stewart Harris (CEO sportscotland).

Louise Martin will remain on the Board as Past Chairman
. In her final speech she paid tribute to the teamwork that has seen sport move up the political agenda and lead to Glasgow’s successful Bid to host the Games in 2014.

She said “In the 8 years that I have been privileged to lead the CGCS I have met some great people, seen some incredible performances by Scottish athletes and of course, been part of the team that has turned my biggest dream into a reality. I still love to say it – Glasgow will host the Games in 2014.

“I absolutely believe that it is this organisation (CGCS) that has, over the years, made sure that sport has continued to move up the political agenda. You have made this happen, all of you. We are a team that gets results.

Her successor, Michael Cavanagh, will have a hard act to follow. He is manager of the East of Scotland Area Institute of Sport and has a wealth of Commonwealth Games experience as an athlete, a coach, a sport team manager and as a general team manager for Scottish teams.

First Minister Alex Salmond MSP also paid tribute to the outgoing Chairman. “It is impossible for me to overstate the role that Louise Martin has played in securing the Games for Scotland. She has worked tirelessly to create and promote the bid that was victorious in Colombo. Her detailed knowledge of the delegates from each of the other seventy Commonwealth Games Associations is quite breathtaking, and it allowed us to conduct the most effective lobbying campaign I have ever known.

Commonwealth Games Scotland is delighted that Michael Cavanagh, Past Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) has been recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours list published today. He has been awarded an OBE for service to sport and the Commonwealth Games movement.

Michael was Chair of CGS between 2007 and 2015, completing the maximum two terms. He led the organisation’s preparations for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, which resulted in Team Scotland’s most successful ever Games to date, winning a total of 53 medals, including 19 gold.

As Chair of CGS, Michael played a key role on the Board of the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee and was also Chair of their Sport Advisory Group. At the forefront of all Michael’s leadership and involvement with Glasgow 2014 was the drive to see that the Organising Committee lived up to the bid commitments made by Scotland as the host Commonwealth Games Association, ensuring that the Games were truly sport focused and athlete centred, as well as being delivered on time and on budget.

Congratulating Michael, Paul Bush OBE, Chair of CGS said: “We are absolutely delighted that Michael has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list today. In his voluntary role as Chair, Michael made a significant contribution not only to Team Scotland’s success at Glasgow 2014, but to the overall delivery of the Games.

“Glasgow 2014 truly raised the bar and will live long in the memory of the athletes of the Commonwealth as a ‘pure, dead, brilliant’ event that had their needs at the forefront of the planning and delivery. Michael has now been rightly recognised for his leadership and commitment to the Games movement.

“I would also like to congratulate all the Scottish Olympic and Paralympic medallists who have been recognised in the New Year Honours for their incredible performances in Rio.”

Michael is a former Scottish Commonwealth Games team member, wrestling at the 1982 Commonwealth Games, was wrestling coach at the 1994 Games and wrestling team manager in 2002. In 2006 Michael was Assistant General Team Manager with responsibility for the village and athlete liaison.

Michael has also managed British teams at world wrestling championships and other international events. He is a former President of the Scottish Wrestling Association, a former director of the British Wrestling Association Ltd. and was the 2004 Olympic Team Manager for Wrestling.

In his professional capacity Michael is a Senior Manager with sportscotland and was previously Manager of the East of Scotland Institute of Sport.

Michael Cavanagh said: “I am delighted to be honoured for the contribution that I have made to sport and the Commonwealth Games. I started in my sport of wrestling, aged 11 and like many others have found that my sporting journey has given me wonderful experiences, long lasting friendships and many fantastic memories.

“In particular, I am very proud of the huge contribution that Commonwealth Games Scotland made to the planning and delivery of the ‘Best Ever’ Games in Glasgow in 2014, during my time as CGS Chair. It was a privilege to lead CGS at the most exciting and successful time in our history and the record breaking performances of Team Scotland athletes, made Glasgow 2014 an event that will live long in the memory.

“Anything that I have achieved has only been possible because of the full support I have had from so many people, including the staff and directors of CGS, Team Scotland representatives in both 2010 and 2014, but most importantly my family, particularly my wife, Cathy. That support allowed me to play a full part in leading hard working and committed teams to the great success, which has been recognised by the awarding of this honour.”

Team Scotland’s fourth most successful sport of all time in terms of number of medals won, Shooting also boasts Scotland’s most decorated male and female athlete of any sport at the Games. As part of our Sport Focus in the countdown to Gold Coast 2018, here are 12 facts you might not know about Shooting at the Commonwealth Games:

1. An optional sport on the programme, Shooting made its Commonwealth Games debut at Kingston 1966.

2. The four disciplines on the Commonwealth Games programme are: Clay Target; Pistol; Smallbore and Air Rifle; and Fullbore Rifle.

3. Only two Shooting events have been contested at every Commonwealth Games since 1966; 50m Pistol and Fullbore Queen’s Prize Pairs. Of the other events, the 50m Rifle Prone has been included at all but the Auckland 1990 Games, while the Skeet was not included in 1966 but has been on the programme ever since.

4. Scotland sit sixth on the all-time Commonwealth Games Shooting medal table with 45 medals; 12 gold, 15 silver and 18 bronze. Australia and England top the table – Australia in terms of gold medals won with 67, and England in terms of overall number of medals with 168, just five ahead of Australia.

5. Scotland’s shooters had their most successful Commonwealth Games at Delhi 2010, winning nine medals; four gold, three silver and two bronze. Jennifer McIntosh and Jonathan Hammond each won gold in the Individual 50m Rifle Prone before teaming up with Kay Copeland and Neil Stirton respectively to win gold in both Men’s and Women’s Pairs events.

6. Scotland’s most successful shooter is Alister Allan. His total of 10 medals over five Games appearances also makes him Scotland’s most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete of all time. Jonathan Hammond is Scotland’s most successful athlete at a single Games with two gold, a silver and a bronze at Delhi 2010.

7. With two gold, one silver and two bronze medals, Jennifer McIntosh holds the accolade of Scotland’s top female shooter and Scotland’s most decorated female athlete in Games history – titles previously held by her mother Shirley.

8. Scotland won its first Shooting medals at the Christchurch Games in 1974 where Colin McEachran won silver in the Fullbore Rifle and Alister Allan won bronze in the 50m Rifle Prone.

9. Scotland’s first gold medal came four years later at Edmonton 1978 also courtesy of Alister Allan, who took victory in the 50m Rifle Prone ahead of Bill Watkins of Wales and Isle of Man’s Stewart Watterson.

10. All Commonwealth Games Shooting events were open, until they were segregated by gender in 1994 for pistol and most rifle events, and in 2002 for trap and skeet events; whilst the full bore rifle competition remains an open event.

11. Shooting events at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will be held at the Belmont Shooting Centre in Brisbane, which also hosted the 1982 Games competition.

12. The 2017 Commonwealth Shooting Federation Championships were the test event for the Gold Coast 2018 Games and Scottish shooters took four medals; Jennifer McIntosh and Seoniad McIntosh took gold and silver respectively in the 50m Rifle Prone, with Seonaid also taking gold in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions. Ian Shaw and Sandy Walker were bronze medallists in the Fullbore Pairs.

Team Scotland has a proud history in Aquatics at the Commonwealth Games with our swimmers and divers winning medals at every Games with the exception of 1978 and 1990. To round off our Sport Focus, here are 12 things you might not know about Aquatics at the Commonwealth Games:

1. Despite only appearing at three Commonwealth Games to date, Judo is Team Scotland’s sixth most successful Commonwealth Games sport with an all-time medal total of 31. This tally places Scotland 2nd on the all-time Commonwealth Games Judo medal table behind England.

2. Judo is an optional sport in the Commonwealth Games, meaning it can be included on the sports programme by the host nation. Judo was included as a demonstration sport at the Edinburgh 1986 Commonwealth Games before making its full Games debut at Auckland 1990. Its other appearances have been at Manchester 2002 and Glasgow 2014.

3. Scotland’s most successful Commonwealth Games judoka is Sarah Clark with one silver and one gold. Incredibly they were won 12 years apart – the silver at Manchester 2002 and gold the next time Judo was included in the Games at Glasgow 2014.

4. While Men’s Judo was introduced to the Olympic Games programme in 1964, Women’s Judo became a Commonwealth Games sport before its inclusion in the Olympic Games. Events for both men and women were included at the Auckland 1990 Commonwealth Games, while the first Olympic Games to include women’s Judo was Barcelona 1992.

5. Judo made its Commonwealth Youth Games debut at Bahamas 2017 with Team Scotland winning 4 medals. Emily Ritchie won the first gold of the Games and first ever Youth Games Judo gold with victory in the over 70kg event, Fiona Todman and Emma Forrest took silver in the 48kg and 57kg events respectively and Louis Saez took bronze in the 90kg category.

6. All terms in the sport are Japanese, reflecting its origins. The referee gets the contest underway by shouting ‘Hajime!’ and stops it by shouting ‘Matte!’

7.  More people practice Judo in France than in Japan

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Find out more about the sport in the Commonwealth Games on our dedicated Judo page and look out for our next sport focus as we profile each of the 25 sports to have participated since the Games began in 1930.