Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games - First bike in the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome as Glasgow 2014 celebrates Three Years to Go

First bike in the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome as Glasgow 2014 celebrates Three Years to Go

Glasgow 2014 is marking Three Years to Go until the XX Commonwealth Games with the first bike inside the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. The venue will host the track cycling during the Games and is due for completion next year.

On Wednesday 23 July 2014, people from around the globe will be celebrating the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the start of 11 days of world-class sporting competition between 71 Commonwealth nations and territories.

To celebrate this landmark, the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee will be staging a series of Three Years to Go celebrations. Today (Wednesday 20th July) the first bike will be in the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, later this week there will be the official launch of the Pictograms for the Games and the celebrations will continue at the Merchant City Festival this weekend with a “sporting challenge” that will give festival-goers a taster of all 17 sports that are represented in the Games.

At the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Jenny Davis, a Scottish Track Cyclist, was the first cyclist to take a bike into Scotland’s only indoor Velodrome. Jenny won a Silver medal in the team sprint at Delhi 2010 and will be aiming to go one better when competing on home soil when the Games are in Glasgow three years from now.

The 250-metre track at the Velodrome has been designed by Ralph Schuermann, one of the world’s foremost track designers and the Velodrome is named in honour of Scotland’s most successful gold medal winning Olympian and Commonwealth Games champion: Sir Chris Hoy.

Lord Smith of Kelvin, Glasgow 2014 Chairman, said:

“Glasgow 2014 is no longer a distant prospect, the venues and infrastructures are rising from the ground in Glasgow and all across Scotland people are getting involved and starting to feel the excitement that the Games will bring in three years time.

“We have had some fantastic achievements over the last year, new landmarks such as the Athletes’ Village, the National Indoor Sports Arena and the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome are taking shape and the continued regeneration of the East End will be just one of the tangible signs of this historic time for Glasgow.”

Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for the Commonwealth Glasgow City Council, said:

“There is a tangible feeling of excitement now as the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games come ever closer. The Games partners have been working for a long time towards this spectacular event for Glasgow and Scotland, and the countdown is really on.

“There is already a tremendous legacy left by the preparations for 2014, and we look forward to a memorable Commonwealth Games for everyone that continues the regeneration of Glasgow.”

Shona Robison, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, said:

“As we mark three years to go until the beginning of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games I am delighted to be witnessing first hand the progress that has been made to date. The Velodrome is progressing well and is the latest reminder that these Games remain on time, on budget and on track to be a great success.

“Hosting the Games is not only about putting on a spectacular sporting extravaganza but also about leaving a lasting legacy for the people of Scotland. Now more than ever in the countdown to 2014 it’s important that we involve local people and communities from across Scotland in the excitement of the Games. That is why 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.”

Michael Cavanagh, Chairman Commonwealth Games Scotland, said:

“This is another key milestone on our journey to Glasgow 2014. Scotland has a strong tradition in cycling and this impressive facility can only help to strengthen that for the long-term. In just three years time the track cycling will be one of the hottest tickets in town and I know how hard our cyclists are working to ensure they will be in the thick of the action for Team Scotland.

“Seeing all the plans progress in the city for the Games over the last few years all adds to the excitement for the athletes and their determination to be a part of Glasgow 2014.”

Jenny Davis, Scottish track cyclist and silver medallist in Delhi 2010, said:

”Scottish cyclists have waited a very long time for an indoor Velodrome and to see this fabulous facility taking shape is absolutely fantastic. For me Glasgow 2014 will probably be the biggest event of my career and the sooner we can get in here and use the track the more we will be able to realise our potential and take advantage of a home Games.

“The word on the lips of every single track cyclist in Scotland is Glasgow 2014 and I am really excited about the prospect of racing here in just three years time. This facility will undoubtedly also help to grow the sport and encourage more people to take part.”

Note to Editors

1. For media queries please contact Glasgow 2014 Press Officer Matthew Williams on 0141 287 3487 / 07557 322 490 or matthew.williams@glasgow2014.com

2. Photography will be pooled due to limited space and will be distributed to Picture Desks shortly after the photo call on 20.7.11. For further information, please contact Matthew Williams on the above details

3. The OC has made solid progress with its planning to stage the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, in the last 12 months the OC have been involved in the following:

• Delhi Handover Ceremony, which saw: - Commonwealth Flag handed over to the Organising Committee - A creative performance at the closing ceremony in Delhi, a performance that showcased the best of Scotland. - 352 Cast members were involved in the handover, managed by a crew of 86.

• Sport your Trainers campaign – 820,000 people across Scotland supported the campaign and wore their trainers on Commonwealth Day.

• Signed a MoU with London 2012 - unique agreement to work together to maximise benefits of hosting major sporting events.

• Commonwealth Games Associations from Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales visit Glasgow to see how the city is progressing in its preparations for Glasgow 2014.

• Published the Games Partners’ Progress Report, which will be updated every six months

• Launched the Tartan Competition for schools across Scotland to design the official Tartan for the Games

• Participated at the West End Festival this year and the Riding of the Parliament

• Appointment of a number of senior positions within the Organising Committee

• BBC appointed as the Domestic Broadcast Rights Holder for the Games

• Start of construction at the Athletes’ Village

• Start of construction at Tollcross Aquatics Centre

4. Games for Scotland is a programme of events inspired by the 17 Commonwealth Games sports, dance and the Commonwealth Games concept itself. Games for Scotland events will take place from 23rd July - marking 3 years to go until the 2014 Commonwealth Games - and will end on the 27th October marking 1,000 days to go. For further information on Games for Scotland go to: www.eventscotland.org/gamesforscotland