A small delegation from Glasgow recently attended the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. The Asian Games are the largest multi-sport event in Asia uniting 45 countries in 423 events in a breathtaking display of skills and in a wide variety of sports.

The team from Glasgow focused on learning more about core elements of Games delivery, including Transport Infrastructure, Games Village, Opening Ceremony, Venues, Sports and Security with 2 members of the team being included on the Official Observers Programme. This provides an invaluable insight into the "behind the scenes" running of the event and will be particularly useful for Glasgow to view how another country has tackled these areas in the lead up to submission of the Glasgow Candidature File in May 2007.

Lynne McPhee runs through the streets of Doha, Qatar with the Commonwealth Games Flame.

The Glasgow 2104 team also hosted a Reception for Asian Commonwealth Countries. Presenters included Bid Director, Derek Casey and the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Patricia Ferguson, MSP.

For the Glasgow Team, a favourite moment of the magnificent Opening Ceremony was the involvement of an Arabian horse in the act of lighting a cauldron. The final torchbearer His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani cantered up a steep, wet and slippery ramp to the height of the stadium to light the flame... The horse, with specially adapted shoes for extra grip, slowed momentarily halfway up the ramp, but continued on to complete the stunt. A truly remarkable feat!