Gold-medal winning swimmer David Carry was on hand in Aberdeen today
(Tuesday) to help spread the message about Scotland's bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014 – with a little help with some pupils from his former school.
The youngsters from Robert Gordon College, all keen swimmers themselves, joined David at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre with two First buses showing amazing images of Commonwealth sports.
David was bringing home the message that the race to the finish line is now on for Scotland to host the Games in 2014, with less than three months to go before 71 Commonwealth countries and territories hold a secret ballot to determine whether Scotland will host the Games.
David said: "I'm really pleased to be home in Aberdeen to show that everyone is behind the bid for Scotland to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014. So many people will see these images as they travel around the city and I hope there will be a real buzz about it."
David, who won an incredible two Gold medals and one Silver, at the
2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, added that he is keen to see more young people get involved in sport.
"These youngsters are the generation that will be competing in 2014, and it is great to see how enthusiastic they are about the idea of Scotland hosting an international competition which would be the greatest event Scotland has ever seen.
"Swimming is a sport that people of any age can enjoy, and for young people it is great exercise, it is skill they can improve at over time and it doesn't involve a lot of money or equipment to get started."
First Aberdeen Managing Director George Mair said: "We are delighted to be see David here today to help spread the word about supporting the Commonwealth Games. First has thousands of employees and moves more than 200 million passenger journeys north of the border each year and as such we are in an unrivalled position to show our support for the Commonwealth Games bid.
"We want to encourage everyone in the North-east to back the bid for
2014 – this will be great for the whole of Scotland. We are delighted to be showcasing some of the country's premier athletes on our buses running in Scotland's capital city in the run-up to the announcement of the Host City in November."
Glasgow 2014 Bid Director Derek Casey said now is the time for everyone to Back the Bid for Scotland.
"The finish line is in sight for the race to host the Commonwealth Games in Scotland in 2014. We really need everyone in the whole country to help us make one last push so that we can finish in first place. Having the Games in Scotland would be the greatest multi-sports event we have ever staged. The young people here today will be the generation to benefit fully from the experiences which hosting the Games will bring.
"The support of companies like First has been fantastic and I'm delighted that everyone in Aberdeen will get the chance to see these images of sporting greatness. David performed superbly in Melbourne last year and knows the excitement of participating in sport at the highest level. We want to bring that excitement to Scotland for everyone to enjoy through staging a successful Games in 2014."
And keen 10-year-old swimmer Dominique Santini, a pupil at Robert Gordon College, said she would love to be one of the competitors cheered on by her home crowd if Scotland wins the Games for 2014.
"David went to our school it shows you can reach the top if you try hard enough. I really hope we have the Games here and even if I wasn't competing I would definitely be there to watch all the events – it would be amazing!"