The President of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has spoken of his pleasure at seeing Glasgow’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014.
Michael Fennell, OJ, CD (Jamaica) is in Scotland with delegates from the CGF Executive. The group are seeing venues and facilities, receiving presentations on everything from medical facilities to media arrangements for the Games in 2014, meeting with sports officials and enjoying some famous Scottish hospitality.
Speaking at a news conference earlier today Mr Fennell said:
“The level of commitment here is absolutely great. The commitment has to come not just from sportspeople but also from government, the people, the city council … to host the Games requires a strong commitment from everyone.
“Facilities alone is not what a makes a Games successful. We have to ensure that the Games itself can maintain its standards. To do that you need to have a certain level of quality for athletes. We are very satisfied that Glasgow can do this.”
Only Scotland and Nigeria remain in the race to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014. All 71 countries and territories in the Commonwealth will vote in a secret ballot held in Sri Lanka on November 9th.
Mr Fennell added that the image of Glasgow has certainly changed over the past decade.
“I think you all know that a lot of people have an old image of Glasgow, but what we have seen is a very modern city with a young outlook. It is very impressive. I think that the people have welcomed us, everyone has been extremely friendly, and it is a genuine friendship from everyone.”
Although the CGF delegates do not get a vote in the crucial November meeting they are hugely important to the summer visit programme because of their wide experience of hosting Commonwealth Games and expert knowledge of other high-level sporting events.
Over the summer delegates from the Commonwealth regions of Oceania, Asia, and the Americas and Caribbean have been to Glasgow to see the bid. In the coming weeks a group from the Africa region and two catch-all groups of delegates from around the Commonwealth will come to Scotland.