THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES COUNCIL FOR SCOTLAND NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 8 WINTER 2007/2008

How the bid was won | What comes next | Pune update

Glasgow wins the race!

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Glasgow wins race for 2014 Games“The host for the 2014 Commonwealth Games will be Glasgow!”

These were the words of Mike Fennell, Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation and the ones which hundreds of thousands of Scots who had given their backing to the Bid were waiting to hear.

After a tense but exciting week in Colombo for the Bid Team and its partners, there to make their final pitch to the other 70 voting nations, it came down to the final dramatic presentations from both Glasgow and then Abuja before the votes were cast.

Louise Martin, Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, led off for Glasgow. In probably the most significant speech of her life she said: “Glasgow will provide the most athlete-centred Games ever. A Games that will inspire everyone for generations. A Games that will have grown and developed when we pass the baton to the next host city.”

She was followed by Glasgow City Council Leader Stephen Purcell, who told of his immense pride in Glasgow as “a great world city, a city which is rebuilding and renewing and looking to the future with confidence”. And he illustrated how the Games would play a huge part in that continued change. He reminded delegates that 70% of the facilities are already in place and of the warm welcome which would await if the ‘Friendly Games’ were awarded to Glasgow.

Jamie Quarry, decathlon bronze medallist from Manchester, spoke on behalf of

the Scottish Athletes’ Commission. The Commission played a key role in many aspects of the Bid plans including the village and venues and they took an active part in both the outward and inward visits. Jamie had delegates captivated as he recalled his own athlete story and the importance of the support of family and friends when achieving the ultimate honour of representing your country and achieving your best. “Our Team will do that little bit more for all of you” he said. “To make sure that every athlete that comes to Glasgow in 2014 has the chance to do themselves, their country and their families proud.”

The Glasgow 2014 Bid has enjoyed unrivalled cross-party political support from the highest level. This was clearly on show in Sri Lanka with the First Minister Alex Salmond taking up the anchor leg in the presentation on behalf of the Scottish Government, after replacing Jack McConnell earlier this year. “The Commonwealth Games really do matter to Scotland”, he said.

“They matter because they are the only multi-sport games in which our nation competes, as ourselves, ’as Scotland’.

“And they matter because membership of the Commonwealth sits at the heart of the internationalism which defines our country.”

For the presentation party and the Glasgow 2014 delegation, who had been allowed to squeeze into the back of the room for the voting, it was a very long eight minutes whilst the votes were counted. When the moment finally arrived it was announced that Glasgow had beaten Abuja by 47 votes to 24 with all 71 countries taking part in the vote.

Huge celebrations ensued both in Sri Lanka and back in Glasgow at venues across the city and across Scotland. However it wasn’t long before it was back to business for the officials from each of the parties (Government, Glasgow City Council and CGCS), with the immediate signing of the host city contract.

The 9th November 2007 will surely be a day to remember and with the promise of more excitement to come in 2014!

Message from the Queen

I send my warm congratulations to everyone involved in Glasgow’s successful bid to hold the 2014 Commonwealth Games: the third time that a Scottish city has been chosen as the venue for the Games. My good wishes go to you all, and to the people of Glasgow, as you celebrate this impressive achievement.

ELIZABETH R.

“The Board and members of the Nigeria Olympic Committee congratulate the CGCS, the Bid team and the entire sport-loving people of Glasgow on your spectacular winning of the 2014 Commonwealth Games Bid.

There is no doubt that Glasgow had put a lot of effort and enthusiasm into the Bid, hence your success in Colombo on 9 November was well deserved.” Banji Oladapo, Scretary-General Nigeria NOC

The magic monent

Scotland celebrates

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Minister for Communities and Sport, Stewart Maxwell, said: “This is a victory not just for the city, but for the whole of Scotland. I am certain the Games will not only be the greatest sporting showcase

our nation has ever seen, but will act as a catalyst for regeneration in some of most disadvantaged communities and serve as a launch-pad for creating a lasting sporting legacy for our country. I think the Games win has shown just what Scotland can achieve when we work together and we need to build on that spirit as we approach 2014 to deliver a spectacular festival of sport.”

Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair of sportscotland said it was fantastic news. “Hosting such a high profile event will undoubtedly help to drive sport forward at all levels, increasing participation and

improving performance.

“It will provide Scottish athletes with the advantage of competing and being supported on home soil. And as importantly, it will give coaches, officials and volunteers the experience of a lifetime.”

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer EventScotland and Chef de Mission 2006 Scottish Commonwealth Games Team said: “The energy, commitment and

determination displayed by the Glasgow 2014 Bid team has been inspirational and these qualities have been vital in securing the Commonwealth Games.

“The build up to the Games, the Games themselves and their legacy will have a profound impact on Scotland. We look forward to working with the Games Organising Committee to help deliver the best ever Commonwealth Games and to ensure Scotland derives maximum benefit from being the host nation.”

Scottish Swimming Chief Executive Ashley Howard is looking forward to a successful 2014 Games in the pool, after Scotland’s swimmers won 12 medals at the 2006 Games in Melbourne. Howard said: “The

support our athletes and coaches enjoyed in Melbourne 18 months ago is nothing compared with the home support we will have here in seven years time.”

Former Labour First Minister Jack McConnell, whose administration launched the Bid, Said: “This is fantastic news for Glasgow and for Scotland. I hope that Scots are inspired by the

excitement the Games will bring and the Commonwealth enjoys the best ever Games in 2014.”

Congratulations...

The athletes celebrate

What now for the Games?On 14th November the First Minister, Alex Salmond, gave a statement to the Scottish Parliament about the way forward now Glasgow has won the right to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

The plan for the first 100 days: The appointment of the Chair of the

organising company and to have set in motion the recruitment of other key personnel who will lead on the delivery of the Games.

The development of a rolling business plan for the first three years of the operation of the organising company.

Consultation on plans to secure a lasting legacy for all of Scotland from the Games.

Subject to Parliamentary timetables, to get the Glasgow Commonwealth Games Bill on the statute book before the summer recess which will be one of two formal mechanisms required to deliver the Games. This will provide protection from ambush marketing and ticket touting, enabling the Games’ transport plan to be put in place, ensuring that the ownership of land needed for the Games is secured and that all projects are delivered on time and on budget. It will also put the funding mechanisms in place to support the Games.

The second mechanism is to establish the organising company, Glasgow 2014 Ltd, which will be crucial to the delivery of the Games. It is owned jointly by Scottish Ministers, Glasgow City Council and the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, the same successful tripartitie approach which was crucial in securing the Bid.

The organising company will be charged with turning the 240 page Bid document into reality. This is no simple task and so the organising company will be required to produce detailed business plans, setting out precisely what will be done, when and at what cost.

These plans will be scrutinised in detail by the Glasgow 2014 Strategic Group. This will be chaired by the First Minister with representatives from each of the three key parties. The Group will ensure the co-ordination of government agenices, both national and local, to deliver the Games Bid committments on behalf of the Games organising committee.

The host city contract is signed

September 2006Major Supporters come on board to ‘Back the Bid’: BBC Scotland, Clydesdale Bank, Diageo, First Group, Highland Spring, O2.

May 2007Submission of the Candidate City file to the CGF in London.

June 2007The CGF Evaluation Commission visits Glasgow to assess the Bid.

August 2002First Minister Jack McConnell, inspired by the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, agrees to explore the idea of a Scottish Bid.

March 2004CGCS launches the contest to select a preferred candidate city.

September 2004Glasgow selected by CGCS as its preferred candidate city and detailed feasibility study commences.

August 2005Jack McConnell announces the Scottish Government’s support for Glasgow’s Bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

March 2006The Bid makes its official debut at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

June 2006 – May 2007The 2014 representatives, led by Louise Martin, travel the globe starting in Jamaica and finishing in Malta to promote the Bid. They hear what the Commonwealth has to say about our plans – 67 of the 71 Commonwealth countries visited.

September 2006The Scottish Athletes’ Commission is formed to advise the Bid on the issues that matter to the athletes.

The road to Sri LankaJuly – October 200768 Commonwealth countries visit Glasgow ‘The Friendly City’ to see the proposals first hand.

September 2007The Evaluation Commission report commends Glasgow’s Bid, stating Glasgow has a complete and well-researched candidature file.

November 2007Scottish delegation arrive in Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Games Federation Gerneral Assembly to make the final case for Glasgow.

DECISION DAY!

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9 November 2007Colombo, Sri Lanka. Glasgow wins the right to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games 47 votes to 24.

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In the position as Chairman, Louise spent 20-30 hours most weeks in the office in Stirling, at meetings, sports events and functions – the ultimate volunteer that any sport would crave to have.

“I still can’t quite believe that this is the end of my second term as Chair of this wonderful organisation – it is still a hugely emotional time for me”, she said.

“In the eight years that I have been privileged to have led the CGCS I have met some great people, seen some incredible performances by Scottish athletes and, of course, been a 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.”

There have been many challenges for the Games Council over the years. The teams were poorly funded and as a result, not always as prepared as they should have been. The fact that they continued to achieve excellent results at the Games in spite of the constraints, is a glowing testament to the athletes, coaches and team officials and indeed to Martin herself.

“It was thanks to Board’s determination and pride in the athletes that we managed to change things. And change them for the better. We successfully lobbied the Scottish Government and got them to put their hand in their pockets. No mean feat!” she exclaimed.

Under her stewardship, Louise Martin has led a team that got results both on and off the field of play. She believes it is because they have always kept sight of what is important - the athletes, that they have been able to move forward as an organisation.

From Edinburgh to Manchester, Bendigo to Melbourne, the CGCS has shown the world that Scotland is a country proud of its heroes and a country that loves to compete and win.

“We can look forward to Pune and Delhi with some optimism she said. “These Games will be spectacular and we have great prospects coming through in a number of sports. And of course, we have the added incentive of Glasgow 2014 to spur our young people on.”

And if she was to have one message for the person who succeeds her as Chair what would it be?

“They must continue to push for more funding, more resources for the team and inspiring our young athletes. Because the planning for 2014 must start now if we are to be in a position of strength when our Games come around.

“We saw the way that Melbourne captivated our nation. We must make sure that Delhi is exactly the same. Success breeds success but, unfortunately, failure also breeds failure.

“So, whoever succeeds me has a huge responsibility. They must have the strength of character to make a success of Pune and Delhi, while at the same time steering our 2014 partners in the right direction. It is a huge task.”

Whilst Louise has been the public face of the Games Council and the Bid she is very aware she couldn’t have done this without a lot of support from a host of people, her family first and foremost.

“My heartfelt thanks go to the Board of the CGCS, Jon Doig our Chief Executive and Adrienne Sunderland, Office Manager. Our governing bodies, Derek Casey and everyone at the Bid Team in Glasgow, sportscotland, Eventscotland and all the national agencies who have supported the CGCS, our Bid and our teams.

“Our amazing sponsors who have done so much to help us grow and develop. And of course, our athletes for performing so incredibly and for raising the spirits of our nation.

“To Jack McConnell for sorting out the funding of our team and for daring to dream with us about Glasgow 2014. He has been a true friend of the CGCS and of Scottish sport.”

So is she disappointed to be finishing?

“Glasgow 2014 will be the greatest Games the world has ever seen. I have no doubt about that. It means too much to too many people for it to be anything else. I am just so proud and honoured that we managed to turn that dream into a reality and in so doing, that I got to work with a lot of great people who were passionate about winning – and doing so for all the right reasons.

“This is the start of an amazing adventure and whilst I will no longer be Chair I certainly intend to be around in some capacity and celebrate a Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.”

The changing face of Commonwealth Games in Scotland

With the finishing line now crossed, Louise Martin CBE, Chair of CGCS reflects on an eight year journey which has transformed both the organisation and the profile of Commonwealth Games in Scotland and at the same timed ensured that the next seven years can be as equally exciting and prosperous.

Louise Martin CBE

Cavanagh takes up the reins as new Board elected

At the Half Yearly Meeting of Council at the end of November, Michael Cavanagh (centre of photo) was elected Chairman. Fiona McEwan (Badminton) was elected Vice-Chair and new members of the Board are Jackie Davidson (Cycling) and 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 and Stewart Harris (CEO sportscotland). Louise Martin will remain on the Board as Past Chairman and will be one of CGCS’s representatives on the 2014 organising committee.

Michael Cavanagh 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.

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Grand celebrations were held in Pune, India in October to mark the milestone of a year to go until the III Commonwealth Youth Games. The Games will be held from the 12th to 18th October 2008. It is the first time that the Youth Games will be held in Asia and the first time that all 71 Commonwealth countries are expected to take part.

Pune is the cultural capital of the Maharashtra region of India and the people are known as Puneites. The city is renowned for hosting several world class events, including India’s oldest marathon.

World class sports facilities, modern infrastructure, excellent transport links and a rich cultural heritage coupled with a salubrious climate vouch for Pune’s candidature as the host city for next Youth

Pune on the webThe official website for the Commonwealth Youth Games is up and running. The site will provide information and updates about the preparations for the Games and comprehensive details of news and results during the Games. Log on to find out more about Pune the host city of the Commonwealth Youth Games 2008 and

lots more www.cygpune2008.com or follow the link from our website.

Games.

Over 1,300 athletes and 350 officials from 71 countries will participate in these games, in nine sports:

Athletics Badminton Boxing Shooting Swimming

Table tennis Tennis Weightlifting Wrestling

The 2008 Youth Games are being run as a trial event for the Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi in 2010 and are seen as an extremely significant event for India as they will form the back-bone for her quest for maximum medals in Delhi. The Youth Games will also serve to identify India’s medal winning potential athletes for the Asian Games 2014 and the Olympic Games 2016.

Pune plans well underway

Building blocks in placeThe magnificent Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex will be the focal point of the 2008 Games. It’s unique feature is that it is the first time that the competition venues for all sports and the athletes’ village will be housed on a single site. It is located on 153 acres of land on the outskirts of Pune at Sports City, Balewadi, some 22 kilometres from the airport.

The Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex is currently undergoing renovation and upgrading for the Games. New sports facilities, like the indoor multi-purpose stadium, fitness centre, shooting range stadium, and table tennis stadium are under construction, whilst the existing facilities for athletics, boxing, tennis, swimming and weightlifting are being upgraded extensively. The main athletics stadium will have a seating capacity of 20,000 and will also be the venue for the Opening and Closing ceremonies.

An athletes’ village with 400 air conditioned, double bedded rooms and ancillary facilities is under construction. The existing hostels with 250 rooms are being upgraded extensively.

In anticipation of large and enthusiastic crowds, adequate parking space of approximately 25 acres is being developed outside the Sports City.

Eye of the tigerDuring the summer Pune unveiled their official Games mascot Jigrr, the younger brother of ‘Shera’, the tiger

mascot of the Commonwealth Games 2010.

The mascot has been named Jigrr to symbolise the zest, spirit and mettle of the Youth Games. Jigrr is an amalgam of the

Hindi word jigar, which implies courage and the sound of a tiger roar (grrr...). Jigrr is intelligent, sporting, alert and farsighted. Incorrigibly competitive and incredibly brave,

he is oozing with confidence and the twinkle in the eye reflects his ‘I can do it’ attitude.

Jigrr will not only promote the Youth Games at Pune but also spread his enthusiasm for sports among the youth of India, while discouraging negative practices such as cheating and doping. Jigrr is here to spread

pure joy of youth and give a smile to everyone!

Scotland logo launchedTo coincide with a year to go the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland has created a new logo to badge the team going to the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune.

The Scotland Team logo incorporates a unique ‘Hindi’ style font, the colours of

both the Indian flag and the CGCS .

Lisa McIver

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Lisa, who is sportscotland’s Partnership Manager for the Area Institutes brings extensive experience to the role. Involved in judo for more than 20 years as a player, coach and now team manager with the British Cadet Team, she was Scotland Team Manager for the hugely successful judo squad at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 and Assistant General Team Manager for the Youth Games in Bendigo in 2004. Lisa will be supported by Brent Deans (Hockey) and Leslie Roy (Athletics) as Assistant General Team Managers. Ally Nicol has been appointed as Team Doctor, with Lindsay Thomson and Stephen Mutch as physiotherapists. We caught up with Lisa to hear her thoughts on Pune.

What does it mean to you to be appointed as General Team Manager? I am delighted to be appointed as GTM for the Scottish Team. Following on from working with the Youth Games Team in Bendigo 2004 this gives me another opportunity to work as part of the General Team Management at a multi-sport event.

What did you learn in Bendigo that will help you manage the team? The experiences of Bendigo will be useful as I learned a lot about working under

McIver to lead Youth Games TeamCongratulations to Lisa McIver who has been appointed General Team Manger for the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune in October 2008.

pressure to tight deadlines and how this is best managed. I also found that it is all about staff, no matter what their role, working together as a team and everyone pitching in to do what needs to be done. Luckily for me the staff that have been appointed so far are very experienced and have all worked at a Commonwealth Games or Youth Games before.

What challenges do you think you will face taking a team to India? There will be a number of challenges in terms of differences in culture, climate, food, hygiene etc. but nothing that cannot be overcome. We will do as much work as we can in advance but things don’t always go to plan so we will just have to deal with anything unexpected if it occurs. Another challenge will be the expectation from the media to achieve more medals than the last time but we need to make people aware that the sport programme is completely different so we are not comparing like with like. The aim of the Youth Games is to prepare athletes for future multi sport events such as Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

What are you looking forward to most about the role? I am really looking forward to working with the staff and athletes of the different sports. It will be great to get things underway at the Team Camp in January.

Selection criteria in placeThe Commonwealth Youth Games are an invitational event with a maximal of 1300 young athletes, 18 years or younger (born 1 Jan 1990 or later) invited from across the Commonwealth. For many it is their first experience of a multi-sport Games and ideal preparation for competing in future Commonwealth Games and other multi-sport events. The sports programme is selected by the hosts, India.

The Games are identified primarily as a development opportunity for those athletes and staff likely to represent and win medals for Scotland at future Commonwealth Games in 2010 and beyond. The Youth Games athletes will be in their prime for 2014.

All governing bodies are currently developing their sport specific selection policy with CGCS, based on the athletes showing the ability to perform at these future events. Medal potential at the 2008 Games is an additional, but secondary, criteria. Selection criteria are based on a performance level of Great Britain ranked number two or agreed equivalent (such as UK WCPP selection standards, Sinclair formula etc.). With numbers being limited to 44, all governing bodies have been given a number of indicative places on which nominations will be made. Should more athletes meet the standards than there are indicative places available, athletes will be selected based on a priority list made by each governing body.

The selection policies are scheduled for completion by the end the year with the selection period starting 1 January 2008.

Scottish delegation head to PuneJon Doig, Chief Executive of the CGCS visited Pune recently following the Commonwealth Games Federation Geeneral Assembly in Sri Lanka. He was joined by General Team Manager for 2008, Lisa McIver and Team Doctor Ally Nicol. They were part of a larger European group including Wales, Northern Ireland and Isle of Man, all keen to see first hand the plans being put in place for next year’s Youth Games.

Commentinmg on the visit Jon Doig said: ”It was great to meet the organisers and see the sports venues and the village along with the medical and other ancillary facilities. These recce visits are a vital part of our team preparations to ensure we put everything in place so our athletes can perform at their very best when they get to Pune.

“For most of the athletes and team staff it will be the first time they have travelled to compete in India and it will be a whole new cultural experience. It is particularly important that we understand the impact of this in the light of the 2010 Commonwealth Games also being held in India.”

The information gleaned at the recce will be presented to potential athletes and staff at the first team camp to be held on 5th January 2008 at Stirling University.

Jon Doig

Hoy takes record fourth titleFollowing another outstanding season on the track, cyclist Chris Hoy was named Scottish Sportsperson of the Year for 2006/2007. He was awarded the Emirates Lonsdale Trophy for the fourth time in five years at the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland’s Sportsman’s Dinner in Glasgow in October. In second place was swimmer Kirsty Balfour and in third spot, gymnast Daniel Keatings.

This year saw a further eight inductees welcomed into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame at the National Museum of Scotland, including three Commonwealth Games greats: Willie Wood MBE, bowls; Lachie Stewart and Yvonne Murray-Mooney MBE, athletics.

To date 17 Commonwealth Games athletes have been inducted:

Alister Allan – ShootingIan Black – SwimmingElenor Gordon - SwimmingPeter Heatley - DivingEllen King – SwimmingBobby McGregor - SwimmingLiz McColgan - AthleticsJohn McNiven - WeightliftingDick McTaggart – BoxingRobert Millar - CyclingYvonne Murray - AthleticsIan Stewart – AthleticsLachie Stewart - AthleticsJack Wardrop - SwimmingAllan Wells - AthleticsDavid Wilkie - SwimmingWillie Wood – Lawn Bowls

Commonwealth greats enter Scottish Sports Hall of Fame

Launched in 2002, the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame has been developed through a unique partnership between sportscotland and National Museums Scotland.

Bowler, Willie Wood is the most capped Scottish Commonwealth Games athlete ever, having competed in seven Games and winning bronze, silver and two gold medals between 1974 and 1990. Ironically, the only Games he missed in an otherwise unbroken run was Edinburgh in 1986.

However, Lachie Stewart is a man who knows what it’s like to win on home soil. A gutsy victory in the 10,000 metres final at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh ranks as one of the most memorable moments in Scottish sport. Cheered on by a passionate home crowd, Stewart out-sprinted the multiple world record holder and overwhelming favourite, Australian Ron Clarke, to win gold on the first day of the Games taking more than 20 seconds off his previous best.

Fellow long distance runner Yvonne Murray-Mooney also enjoyed similar home advantage at the 1986 Edinburgh Games, when she won the first of three Commonwealth Games medals, taking bronze in the 3,000 metres. She went on to collect a full set, winning silver in the 3,000 metres in 1990, and finally gold at 10,000 metres four years later, in Victoria, Canada.

Congratulating the 2007 inductees, Louise Martin, Chairman, CGCS said: “It is

fantastic to see three of Scotland’s greatest Commonwealth Games representatives join the Hall of Fame this year.

“The Games have been responsible for some of Scotland’s greatest sporting moments and I have no doubt that the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will produce many more.”

The Scottish Sports Hall of Fame can be visited at the National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, or online at www.sshf.co.uk

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Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland

Gannochy Sports CentreUniversity of Stirling

Stirling FK9 4LA

Tel: +44 (0)1786 466480Fax: +44 (0)1786 466481

Email: info@cgcs.org.ukwww.cgcs.org.uk

Major supporters

Partners

Photo credits:Ideal Images, Glasgow 2014 Bid, Gee Whiz Media, Michael Hughes

Photography

2008

1 January Youth Games selection period opens

5 January Youth Games team camp

6 February First Youth Games team staff meeting

June Site visit Pune/Delhi

25 July Youth Games selection period closes

8 August Youth Games Team selections confirmed

14 September Youth Games team camp

12-18 October Youth Games Pune, India

15 November CGCS Annual Awards Dinner

Key dates