Glasgow 2014 today unveils exciting first details of the dramatic transformation planned for one of Scotland’s premier sporting venues for the Opening Ceremony, the spectacular show-starter to the XX Commonwealth Games.
For the once-in-a-lifetime occasion, Celtic Park’s entire South Stand will be transformed into Glasgow’s ‘Window on the Commonwealth’ thanks to the installation of a digital LED backdrop which will be the largest screen of its kind ever seen in Europe.
Nearly 100 metres wide, the screen will play a key role in the creation of a dramatic, immersive visual experience for the packed audience in Celtic Park including elite athletes from across the Commonwealth and international VIPs. It will also create a spectacular impression for an estimated live global TV audience of more than one billion.
The screen will be used both to share magical images of events as they unfold in the stadium itself as well as serving to connect the stadium to the city and to the Commonwealth beyond.
This means audiences in the stadium, at city live sites and in millions of homes across Scotland and across the world can all connect and share in the thrilling celebration of Glasgow’s Opening Ceremony– the curtain raiser to the UK’s next big sporting and cultural event.
Weighing in at 38 tonnes and 11 metres high, the mega-screen will cover 1020 square metres. Hidden behind the screen in the space normally allocated to spectator seating will be cast backstage and technical support services.
Eileen Gallagher, Independent Director on the Glasgow 2014 Board and Chair of the Ceremonies, Culture and Queen’s Baton Relay Committee said:
“Glasgow 2014’s Opening Ceremony is a wonderful opportunity for Glasgow and Scotland to welcome the world to the Commonwealth Games, to demonstrate our warmth and creativity and show that we love to host a good party.
“The ‘Window on the Commonwealth’ being created in Celtic Park is just one exciting glimpse of what I know will be a very special evening and just one of the ways through which we can realise our bold creative ambition to showcase our host city and nation in a number of surprising ways.”
David Zolkwer, Head of Ceremonies & Artistic Director for Glasgow 2014 said:
“The building of a screen of this scale – running the entire length of Celtic Park’s South Stand – is going to add a really audacious dimension to Glasgow 2014’s Opening Ceremony. Both through sheer spectacle and as a wonderful story–telling device, our goal is for the screen to be a wow factor – a fantastic augmentation to the story we are telling our live audience in the stadium and the many hundreds of millions of people watching on television around the world.”
While much of the creative content of the Ceremony is still under wraps, auditions have taken place for thousands of ordinary people who have volunteered to be part of the Ceremonies cast.
There are currently a limited number of tickets still available for the Opening Ceremony. For details go to www.glasgow2014.com or call 0844 826 2014.
Glasgow 2014 today (Monday 17 March) revealed the list of Scotland’s villages, towns and cities which will welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay.
The Queen’s Baton Relay provides a great opportunity for the Scottish public to celebrate community sport and get behind local athletes who will represent Team Scotland.
The baton will visit over 400 communities, offering people across the nation a chance to be a part of the excitement, celebrations and countdown to Scotland’s biggest-ever sporting and cultural festival, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, and show their support for the home team.
The relay will reflect the important role of sport by visiting schools, sporting facilities and leisure centres, encouraging communities to get behind Team Scotland, get involved with the Games and using its profile to get more people participating in sport.
From the spires of Edinburgh to the peaks of the Highlands, from Scottish Borders’ woodlands to island beaches, the baton will travel across all 32 Local Authorities in the nation before it reaches Glasgow, its final destination.
Brae, in the Shetland Islands, is the farthest northern village on the baton’s journey, and Kirkcudbright, in Dumfries and Galloway, the southernmost point on the relay’s route.
Communities will be celebrating in extraordinary and unique ways. More than 60 schoolchildren will travel from the Island of Unst, a two-ferry journey to the Shetland mainland, to join the relay in the village of Brae. For the first time in the history of a relay, people across the length of the Outer Hebrides, from Castlebay in Barra to the most northerly point at Butt of Lewis lighthouse, will be able to join celebrations across five different events along the route.
The 40-day journey of the baton will cover 8,000 kilometres, showcasing the nation’s most-iconic landmarks and culture.
World-famous sights such as the Forth Bridge and Loch Ness feature on the baton’s journey, as well as The Kelpies, Falkirk’s 30 metre-high dazzling horse head sculptures.
Scotland’s rich heritage takes centre stage when the baton visits Skara Brae in the Orkney Isles and travels along the Glenfinnan Viaduct in the Highlands.
Sporting highlights on the route include visits to Melrose, the home of Rugby Sevens, Knockhill’s Racing Circuit, a visit to Team Scotland’s training camp at the University of Stirling and a stop at St Andrew’s Old Course, the home of golf.
The baton will take part in one of Scotland’s favourite festivities, as it steps forward for a Ceilidh in Dundee.
Further highlights on the baton’s journey through Scotland, as well as street level details and full programme of events, will be announced nearer the time.
On 31 March thousands of people will find out whether their nominations to become batonbearers have been successful.
When it arrives in Scotland on 14 June, the baton will have been on 248-day global epic journey through all other 69 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.
On 23 July, the message Her Majesty placed in the baton will be read at the Opening Ceremony.
The Queen’s Baton Relay is the world’s most engaging relay, a unique tradition of the Games that unites the two billion citizens of the Commonwealth in a celebration of sport, diversity and peace. It will travel over 190,000 kilometres through 70 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.
Announcing the full list of communities on the baton’s journey, Commonwealth Games Scotland Chairman Michael Cavanagh said:
“The Queen’s Baton Relay is the ultimate symbol of the Commonwealth Games and its arrival in Scotland will be an important signal to both the athletes and the public that the Games are just around the corner.
The baton’s journey through the country is the ideal opportunity for people to celebrate community sport and show support for their local athletes selected to represent Team Scotland at Glasgow 2014. We hope everyone the length and breadth of the country will get behind the team and play their part in what is going to be an amazing home Games!”
David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014, said:
“The Queen’s Baton Relay is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people across Scotland to celebrate what’s extraordinary and unique about their communities, and honour those locals who make a difference to others. The baton is visiting hundreds of villages, towns and cities, with thousands taking part in the relay, and many more attending the vast programme of sports and cultural events along the route. With less than three months to go until the baton comes home to Scotland, the momentum is building up for the biggest festival of sport and culture this nation has ever hosted”.
Download: Queen’s Baton Relay – Factsheet
The Commonwealth Games move ever closer and Scotland 7s have only four more HSBC Sevens World Series tournaments before they take to the field at Ibrox in July.
One player who’s getting excited by the thought of a home Commonwealth Games and the chance to play in front of a full-house at Ibrox, is Mark Robertson, who grew up in the very town that rugby sevens was born, Melrose.
He said: “If I get selected, I can’t comprehend how loud the noise and amazing the atmosphere will be in Ibrox in July. It will be a new experience for this team because, though Wellington is always a sell-out, the stadium isn’t always full, so sometimes you’re playing in front of a quiet stand.
“However, the way tickets have been sold for the Commonwealth Games will ensure the stadium will be packed all day from the first game to the last.”
The centre, however knows that the Commonwealth Games has to remain at the back of his mind for now and that this weekend’s Tokyo 7s (22-23 March) is his main focus.
Robertson continued: “The nature of this game is that anything can happen at any point. The main thing for me just now is to perform as best as I can in Tokyo and take one step at a time, only then will I have a chance at selection for the games.
“In the past couple of months we’ve focussed on parts of our game that will hopefully make a difference to our performances and we’re desperate to go out and make our fans and the players in the squad back at home very proud.
“For me personally, I feel I’ve got some momentum just now, I feel sharp and on top of my game, so I hope I can keep moving forward. I want to be the best centre on the World Series.”
Having grown up in Melrose, where Ned Haig invented the abbreviated game in 1883, Robertson has felt the proud support of his family and the town throughout his rugby sevens career.
He concluded: “My first memory of the game of sevens was when my parents didn’t allow me to go along to the sevens because I was too young. I was gutted because there is such a buzz in the week leading up to the tournament and everyone is there.
“However, when I was six I got my first chance to play in the Crichton Cup, the equivalent youth tournament to the Melrose 7s. All I could think about that year was playing on the main pitch at The Greenyards.
“In 2006, I then got my first call to play on the World Series in Wellington, under Rob Moffat. Everything happened really quickly that season because I had played my first game for the Melrose 1XV and signed a pro-contract. I couldn’t believe I would get to play for my country too.
“The first thing I did was tell my parents and I knew that everyone in Melrose was behind me because they love to see their players getting selected for our country.”
So, come July if Mark Robertson gets the call to play in Commonwealth Games for Team Scotland, it’ll certainly be a proud moment in Melrose.
Robertson has won 26 caps on the HSBC Sevens World Series, scored 42 tries and three conversions, culminating in 216 points.
You can follow Mark on Twitter @marky_robertson
Photo Credit: Scottish Rugby
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The centrepiece at the heart of the Games being transformed to host 48 Athletics events and the home-from-home for the 4,500 athletes who will compete at Glasgow 2014 were today (Wednesday, 12 March) revealed by Jessica Ennis-Hill, Olympic gold medallist and one of Glasgow 2014’s most high-profile ambassadors, and Team Scotland star and Commonwealth silver medallist Eilidh Child.
Hampden Park, Scotland’s National Stadium, is already a legendary venue and scene of many international moments of intense sporting drama. As the venue for Athletics at this summer’s Commonwealth Games, it will stage some of the most thrilling moments of the competition, with more than a thousand athletes going all out for gold and glory in over 48 events in seven days.
Glasgow 2014 today revealed the stadium’s stunning new look as the transformation from the home of Scottish football into a world-class Athletics arena moves closer to completion. A revolutionary solution has raised the stadium surface by almost two metres, gaining the width and length required for an IAAF-approved Athletics track.
The work has been a closely guarded secret since it began back in December, but a full infield complete with freshly-covered grass now sits on a temporary deck, made up of 1,200 base panels supported by over 6,000 structural steel stilts. The recognisable red running track surface will be laid shortly.
This is the first time this technology has been used on this scale to deliver a world-class Athletics event and it will enable elite athletes from 70 nations and territories to battle it out in front of a packed crowd of over 40,000 in the stadium and more than one billion TV viewers worldwide. With IAAF approval, the approach is already being termed the ‘Glasgow solution’ in worldwide Athletics circles and its legacy could live on at future events.
Also revealed today was the innovatively designed Athletes’ Village, Scotland’s first large-scale carbon neutral housing development, as it begins its fit out for the Games.
From tomorrow, it will be four months exactly until the first athletes arrive in Glasgow and move in to their temporary Games time home-from-home in the east end of the city.The villagewill host 6,500 athletes and officials in total and form a community like no other at the very heart of Glasgow 2014.
The village isn’t just a bed for every athlete, it’s their dining area, their medical facility, their retail zone and their recreational space where the athletes can relax and unwind away from the intensity of competition and training. It’s where they can share experiences with roommates and teammates, make new friends and learn more about the countries that will send their teams to Glasgow from across the globe.
Jessica and Eilidh, who roomed together at the London 2012 Olympic Games, gave both revolutionary venues their seal of approval during an exclusive preview.
Eilidh Child, Team Scotland star and Commonwealth silver medallist in the 400m hurdles, said:
“I’ve seen Hampden in its football format many times, but I never thought I’d see it like this. It’s a spectacular transformation and I’m hugely excited to be competing here this summer. The thought of pushing down the home straight in front of a packed crowd inside our national stadium gives me goosebumps.
“Today is the first time I’ve been inside the Athletes’ Village and it’s looking great. There’s so much open space and it’s nice to see the furniture from London 2012 being reused too. The Village is such an important area for the athletes and from what I’ve seen Glasgow could certainly be setting a new standard. I can’t wait until the teams all start moving in and bring the Village to life.”
Glasgow 2014 Official Ambassador, Jessica Ennis-Hill CBE, said:
“Looking at the amazing Athletics arena that is taking shape at Hampden Park, I am sure Glasgow 2014 will be a Commonwealth Games like no other. I know from the Olympic Games in London the importance of a home crowd and how much of a boost that wonderful support gave to the athletes.
“Scotland is famed for a passion for sport. I’ve been hearing today about the ‘Hampden Roar’ which I’m sure, combined with a fantastic looking standard of Athletes’ Village, will give those competing at Glasgow 2014 an experience they will never forget.”
Jon Doig, Chief Executive of Commonwealth Games Scotland and Team Scotland’s Chef de Mission, said:
“It is hugely exciting to see both of these Games venues coming to fruition in such good time for the Games. Hampden, with its bold, innovative transformation to an Athletics venue is truly amazing and I know all our track and field athletes will be thrilled to step out into this magnificent Athletics arena filled with home support.
“We are also delighted with the facilities offered in the Village and the specific location we have agreed for Team Scotland.”
Following a hugely successful 2012 for Royal Marine Chris Sherrington, where he competed for Team GB at the London Olympics; 2013 proved to be a tougher twelve months as he recovered from significant surgery to his shoulder.
“I’d been having trouble for 8/9 months with the shoulder and the team at sportscotland helped me to figure out what was wrong with it and we realised that it was something that needed surgery”, says Chris. “We were all still buzzing from the Olympics but we were worried about recovery times as Glasgow is not far away – there’s not a lot of time to get everything sorted, which puts pressure on everyone.”
Following surgery, Chris’ first competition back in action was the Glasgow European Open at the Emirates Arena in October 2013. Up against some “big guys who would give the shoulder a good test”, Chris battled to the bronze medal fight in the +100KG weight category but unfortunately he was arm locked and forced to submit.
In the final competition of 2013 – The British Championships – Chris finished the year on a high by becoming British Champion, and bringing down the curtain on a long-year. Now, with Glasgow 2014 just a few months away, Chris’ immediate priorities are to keep getting the points and putting in the performances that will keep him at the forefront for Team Scotland.
“I really hope the worst is behind me and my luck will continue to get better through to the Commonwealth Games. The Euro Open would have been a nice win but judo is so tough and I made mistakes. We did more preparation and the British Trials was a total success, so much so that I hardly broke a sweat. With continued support from the Royal Navy and sportscotland I think we should be ready to win a medal in Glasgow.”
Post-Games, Chris hopes that a successful Team Scotland will have a lasting impact on Judo as a sport, with Glasgow presenting a fantastic opportunity to showcase the sport to a new generation of fans and participants.
“Before London Judo’s popularity wasn’t as high as it could be, and I think the Games there has helped to stop that decline. What we need to look at now with the Commonwealth Games is to put it back on the map. It is really important that we hit the ground running and put on a good show.”
Photo Credit: JudoScotland
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Commonwealth Day was celebrated in style today (Monday 10 March) as children across Scotland took part in Sport Your Trainers and the Glasgow 2014 Official Longines Countdown Clock was switched on.
Commonwealth and Olympic swimming star, and Glasgow 2014 ambassador, Michael Jamieson joined Clyde the Official 2014 Mascot and thousands of school pupils to celebrate a momentous Commonwealth Day and the official countdown to the start of Scotland’s biggest sporting and cultural festival, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Michael and Clyde kicked off the Commonwealth Day celebrations by sporting their trainers at Glasgow’s Hillhead Primary School and encouraging the youngsters to show their support for the Games by also wearing their trainers.
Michael then joined Glasgow 2014 Chairman Lord Smith of Kelvin, KT, Charles Villoz, Vice President of Longines, Glasgow 2014’s Official Timekeeper and Watch and Games Partners to formally switch on the Longines Glasgow 2014 Clock at the city’s Central Train Station and officially mark the countdown to the Opening Ceremony.
Situated above the destination board at the station, the prestigious new Longines clock will be seen by hundreds and thousands of commuters and visitors in the lead-up to the Games in July.
The Swiss watch brand has generations of experience as the official timekeeper at world championships and as a partner of international sports federations. Since 1878 the company has been developing various types of technology for timing different disciplines with increasing precision. As early as the last quarter of the 19th century, Longines was producing chronographs and timed performances at numerous competitions. The company acquired a remarkable fund of experience in an infinite variety of sporting activities, at all levels of competition.
Today, Longines follows its vocation in the field of sports timekeeping, namely in equestrian sports (show-jumping, flat racing and endurance competitions), gymnastics (artistic and rhythmic gymnastics), archery, alpine skiing, and at the French Open at Roland-Garros.
Glasgow 2014 Chairman, Lord Smith of Kelvin, KT, said:
“Commonwealth Day is more significant than ever this year as it is the last one we will celebrate prior to the Games in July. It is particularly appropriate today that we recognise that in less than five months we will welcome the 69 nations and territories of the Commonwealth to Glasgow and Scotland to compete for Gold and glory. The switching on of the Countdown Clock is a fitting marker of this important milestone for Glasgow 2014 and we are delighted to be sharing it with such an excellent global brand as Longines, which underlines perfectly the world-class appeal of the Games.
“This is our year and our chance for Glasgow and Scotland to shine on the global stage. The clock is now officially ticking down to the moment we have all been working towards since the bid was accepted in 2007”.
Michael Jamieson said:
“It has been great to be here in Glasgow and celebrate Commonwealth Day, Sport Your Trainers and the switch on of the Glasgow 2014 clock. It just brings home to me how fast the clock is ticking to July.
Glasgow 2014 is going to be one of the highlights of my career and I’m delighted to be playing a part in the run up to the Games in my home town as an ambassador. As well as being an athlete the great thing for me as a sports fan is being able to attend other events and I can’t wait to get to see as much as I can at Glasgow 2014.”
Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said:
“Commonwealth Day is always an important date celebrated across the Commonwealth and this year it is particularly special, knowing our colleagues from the Commonwealth nations and territories will soon be here with us at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
“Sport Your Trainers has been a fantastic way to bring everyone together and enable them to engage in the excitement, fun and sport of a Commonwealth Games. Now, to have the impressive Countdown Clock in position, it will provide a stunning symbol that the Games are just around the corner. As the countdown commences, I would like to wish our many Scottish athletes training hard to set the standards and be a part of Team Scotland every success towards their goals.”
Thousands of excited clyde-siders, Glasgow 2014 staff and the wider workforce joined forces for the first time as they prepared to become the friendly faces of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
A record breaking 50,811 people applied for up to 15,000 coveted clyde-sider roles with Glasgow 2014. Today, Friday 7 March, the successful applicants took their place in history, standing alongside the full workforce, at one of Scotland’s biggest ever mass orientation events.
The entire workforce has come together from across Scotland and the UK. The workforce will have Games Time roles as diverse as spectator services, press operations, anti-doping, protocol and transport but collectively will be the smiling face of the Games.
They packed into the Emirates Arena to see sports displays, performers and presenters bring the Games to life as they took the next
step in their journey towards Glasgow 2014 – and also saw the Games Time uniform unveiled for the first time.
During the next two days, up to 18,000 people will attend four separate events hosted by television sports favourite Hazel Irvine and popular radio presenter Des Clarke. One of the most anticipated Games moments is the reveal of the uniform which was dramatically unveiled at the first session.
The events give workforce a real insight into the history of the Games, functions of the Organising Committee, the Queen’s Baton Relay and an idea of what they can expect at Games Time.
Renowned outdoor clothing manufacturer Trespass, the Official Provider of Casual Uniforms for the Games, created the uniform which for Games workforce consists of red polo shirt, grey trousers, red and white soft shell jacket, red cagoule and grey hat. Workforce will also be given matching bags, umbrellas and a water bottle supplied by A.G.Barr an Official Supporter of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The company has also created the casual uniform for the Technical Officials which reflects the style and garments in the Games workforce uniform but in blue and green rather than red which is more suitable for the Field of Play.
Star of the show was Clyde the Official Glasgow 2014 Mascot who was also given his own bespoke uniform to match that of the workforce.
Some lucky staff and clyde-siders turned models for the day as they were plucked from their seats and given a Games Time make-over before they strutted their stuff wearing the new uniform for the first time.
Lord Smith of Kelvin, KT, Chairman of Glasgow 2014, said:
“It was a proud and emotional moment for me to stand in front of the thousands of people who will make these Games a reality. From 2007, when the bid was accepted but the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games a far-off prospect, to being there today to see the amazing army of people who will make the Games great was a very special milestone in what has been a tremendous journey.
“I think the uniform is terrific – I am delighted that Clyde has his! – and I look forward to seeing the workforce wear it with pride in our venues across Glasgow and Scotland.”
Commonwealth Games Scotland Chairman, Michael Cavanagh, said:
“Seeing the Glasgow 2014 clyde-siders’ uniform for the first time is another terrific step towards Scotland’s biggest-ever sporting moment on the global stage becoming a reality.
“Those who wear it will be the friendly faces of the Games and offering a warm welcome to Glasgow and Scotland for the athletes of the Commonwealth and hundreds and thousands of fans who come here to enjoy one of the world’s great sporting occasions.”
Felicity Bryant, a Glasgow 2014 frontrunner, said:
“It was brilliant fun. Not only did I get to see the uniform for the first time I actually got to try it on and be part of the show. It was a fantastic experience and just seeing how many people were here today made me realise that it is all becoming real now. I can’t wait for Games Time and will be proud to be wearing my uniform and be associated with the Games.”
Two years ago Florie McLeish was a 16-year-old swimmer from Fulwood, Preston, squeezing in training whilst completing her GCSE exams.
Fast forward to the present and the bubbly teenager is now living in Dunblane, finishing her schooling at Beaconhurst in Bridge of Allan whilst training hard to be on the start line at Glasgow 2014.
Should she make it, it won’t be from a starter’s block at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, but from a floating pontoon at Strathclyde Country Park, as McLeish is now a fully-fledged triathlete.
Swimming since the age of five, McLeish added in one running session a week then borrowed a bike and tried triathlon in 2012, her debut performance catching the eye of regional coaches who put her forward for a trial with the GB Talent Squad.
“When I told my parents I wanted to do triathlon, they said I was too young, but I decided I wanted to give it a try,” recalled McLeish. “I didn’t get through the trial as they said I didn’t have a good enough running background, which was probably true as I’d only been doing one session a week for a year before.”
Enter triathlonscotland National Performance Development Coach Chris Volley. Spotting her potential, Volley invited McLeish to train with the Scottish squads, having discovered her family were moving en masse back to Scotland, her dad hailing from Edinburgh and her mum from Perth.
McLeish said: “Looking back, I can’t believe how quickly the transition all happened. I kept it a secret at first and my friends were shocked when I told them what I was doing, but they encouraged me as they are all sporty too and they respect what I’m doing.
“I have always really enjoyed swimming and running. I didn’t want to give them up so being able to do them and cycling as well is great. I enjoy the competitive side too and while it’s hard, you see a big reward from the work you put in at training.
“I was naïve at the start – in my first race, seven separate bike packs passed me, but generally speaking it’s gone pretty smoothly. I started the season really well, but injuries meant I didn’t finish it. Still, I’ve achieved lots more than I ever expected in so short a space of time.”
That she has, racing at the European Junior Championships last June and then in her first senior race in October, a World Cup race in Mexico. Both provided a steep learning curve for McLeish, who didn’t finish either event, the intense heat a major factor in Mexico as she stepped up to the daunting Olympic distance – a 1500m swim, 40km cycle and 10km run.
Undeterred, these competitions have only served to bolster her self-belief and allow her to dream of being at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
“If someone had said to me two years’ ago that I would be in sight of the Commonwealth Games I would have thought no chance,” added McLeish. “It feels weird even seeing my name on the list trying to get there.
“I’m trying not to think about it too much; it’s always there at the back of my mind, but it has to stay there as otherwise it would take over. The way I’m approaching it is to focus on my age group events and what happens, happens. It’s actually quite motivating.
“Ever since I was younger when we filled out the swimming forms and the question of what team would I want to swim for, I always answered ‘Scotland’. I’ve always felt Scottish and my mum and dad would not have been happy if I’d written down England.”
“It would be a great experience for me, especially so young, to experience a major games atmosphere. I’m sure it’d be pretty nerve-wracking, but to represent Scotland, I would feel so honoured, especially at a home games.”
Right now, McLeish has plenty on her plate, sitting her school exams with the hope of making the grades to go to university. Her 2014 race schedule is still being planned, but with the aim of giving the proud Scot every chance of Commonwealth qualification.
You can follow Florie on Twitter @Florieemcleish
Photo Credit: BTF