Scotland’s elite athletes will receive 7.5 million pounds to improve medal hopes at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Sports Minister Stewart Maxwell confirmed today.

Sports Minister Stewart Maxwell said the funding would help “mine a rich vein of athletic talent in Scotland.”

The Scottish Government will inject an additional 3.75 million pounds over the next three years – through the national sports agency sportscotland – to help our top sporting stars deliver success.

Sportscotland will also reprioritise its budget to invest an additional 3.75 million pounds over the same three year period, in support of elite athlete performance.

The extra resources will strengthen the governing bodies in all 17 Commonwealth Games sports – with a particular focus on coaching – to deliver medal success in Delhi, London and most importantly, Glasgow.

Sportscotland already invests around 8 million pounds each year to encourage sporting success by our athletes across the 17 sports.

Mr Maxwell said:

“It is essential Scotland’s elite athletes are as ready as they can be for Glasgow 2014, and of course, the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and the 2012 London Olympics.

“Sportscotland presented a compelling case for more funding outlining bold, imaginative plans to mine the rich vein of athletic talent in Scotland.

“This Government listened and put its money where its mouth is, supporting sportscotland’s ambition with an additional investment of 3.75 million pounds.

“These additional resources will, I hope, act as a springboard to success for our sporting stars, propelling them to medal winning glory.”
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Welcoming the announcement Louise Martin CBE, Chair of sportscotland said:

“We are absolutely delighted that the Scottish Government has made these additional funds available.

“Exactly a year ago we were celebrating winning the bid to host the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.

“There is no doubt that Glasgow will deliver a great Games, but it is vital that as the home team, Scotland competes with distinction across all sports and wins more medals than ever before, which is no mean feat.

“This funding will ensure that the 17 sports participating in the Games will have the structure, people and programmes in place to deliver in 2014 and beyond.”

Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland welcomed the additional support saying: “This is great news for the 17 sports participating in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

“Confirmation of additional funding at this early stage will now enable Scotland to plan for success in Delhi and hopefully use this as the springboard for Glasgow in much same way as success in Beijing for Team GB will assist preparations for London.”