Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games - 4 Years to go until the Games

4 Years to go until the Games

Scottish athletes announced as “up and coming” sports stars of Glasgow 2014 to mark Four Years to Go

Glasgow 2014, the Organising Committee for the Commonwealth Games, and Commonwealth Games Scotland have announced the names of 30 up and coming, talented athletes who are the potential Scottish sports stars of Glasgow 2014 in four years time.

30 athletes and 16 coaches have been selected for the Achieve 2014 programme, a new initiative specifically designed to enhance the winning opportunities of Scottish athletes on the world stage.  Research has shown that an athlete’s performance at their first multi-sport Games, like the Commonwealth Games or Olympics, is often negatively affected by the completely different scale and environment to that of their usual single sport championships.  However with prior multi-sport Games experience, team members are more likely to perform to their full potential.

The Achieve 2014 athletes and coaches will be supported by ten mentors, and will all travel to the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games for a five day learning experience.  Each team member will observe their own or similar sport in competition as well as visit the Athlete’s Village to see how their Team Scotland counterparts live and train in a Games environment.

The project will cost up to £144,000 and includes funding from Commonwealth Games Scotland and an award of £20,000 from sportscotland. sportscotland is also providing expertise to support the programme, with Commonwealth Games gold medallist, World Champion and Olympian in Judo, Graeme Randall MBE appointed as the Achieve 2014 Director.  Amongst the mentors named today are 2006 Commonwealth Gold medallist shooter Susan Jackson and former hammer thrower, Shirley Webb, who is also a member of theGlasgow2014AthletesCommission.  Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive John Scott said:“Glasgow has Four Years to Go until the Opening Ceremony at Celtic Park, and it’s fantastic to see these up and coming athletes getting the experience and support they need to achieve their Personal Best on home soil.

“Naming these athletes, mentors and coaches today has underlined our approach to delivering an outstanding Games in 2014 – and keeping them athlete centred and sport focused.  I am looking forward to seeing these athletes at work in Delhi, and hearing about their learning experiences over the next Four Years as part of the Achieve 2014 programme.”

Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland said:“As we mark four years to go to the start of Glasgow 2014 I am absolutely delighted to announce our Achieve 2014 team who will get a taste of things to come while they are in Delhi this year.

“As we have known for many years, some athletes rise to the big multi-sport occasion whilst others are overwhelmed by it and in 2014 competing on home soil will bring huge opportunities but also additional pressures. Investing in our future talented athletes and coaches is money well spent to help ensure that our athletes have the best preparation possible and can compete with distinction in 2014 and beyond.”

Minister for Public Health and Sport Shona Robison said:“Glasgow 2014 is no longer a distant prospect, the venues and infrastructure are rising from the ground here in Glasgow and all across Scotland people are getting involved and feeling the excitement that the Games will bring. As part of this the Scottish Government’s Games legacy plan aims to inspire everyone in Scotland to get involved and take advantage of this unique opportunity to become a healthier nation. This key landmark on the countdown to 2014 will help to encourage people to make lasting lifestyle changes which will improve their health and make Scotland an Active Nation.

“The young athletes of the future announced today as members of the Achieve 2014 programme symbolise our ambition and optimism for the Games.  They have a huge opportunity to be part of the Scottish team competing at a major event.  I hope that their experience at Delhi 2010 will inspire them and other aspiring Scottish athletes to excel in their chosen events and contribute to future Scottish sporting success."

Achieve 2014 Director and sportscotland Partnership Manager Graeme Randall MBE, said:“It is great to see the programme coming to life now we have selected our team. Different sports have chosen to use the programme in different ways depending on their stage of development, with some sports only nominating athletes whilst others have just selected coaches and some both. However they are all looking for the same outcome - to enhance their chances of success in Glasgow.”

Lord Provost Bob Winter said:

“Four years from now, the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will be broadcast to over a billion people around the world and will be something extremely special for us, a day to look forward to and remember.  Before that will be a tremendously exciting period in our history as numerous projects related to the delivery of the Games transform the infrastructure of Glasgow and leave us with the legacy of a city that is better economically, environmentally and socially.

“New landmarks such as the Athletes’ Village, together with the completion of major infrastructure projects such as the M74, together with the continued development of the Clydeside will be some of the tangible signs of this historic time for Glasgow.”

Seb Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee said:“As we mark Glasgow 2014’s four years to go milestone and London 2012’s two years to go countdown next week, the progress with preparations for staging both events is evident. The team at London 2012 will continue to work with Glasgow 2014 colleagues to share our learning’s and transfer our knowledge to help further a legacy of the UK being the place to turn to find the very best people to deliver major global sporting events.”