On the spot: Derek Casey

Published on Saturday 12 January 2008 20:35

Interim chief executive of Glasgow 2014, the group planning for the city's Commonwealth Games

All these big projects run over budget by tens of millions of pounds – can you categorically say this won't be the case with Glasgow 2014?

Siobhan Roberts, by e-mail

Glasgow is in a very strong position to deliver the Games on budget. Most cost overruns relate to the building of new sports venues, but we have over 70% of our venues in place; another 20% are already committed. I support the view that a city should have at least 40% of venues in place even before they think of bidding. This shows commitment to sport and will help avoid adverse legacies.

Why is it the case that everything set up and organised by Glasgow City Council seems to benefit the Celtic Football Club, and that this, naturally, includes the 2014 Commonwealth Games?

Ian Codona, by e-mail

Our early plans did not include the use of Celtic Park or Ibrox, but our Athletes Commission persuaded us of the merits of using Celtic Park, allowing them to walk from the Games Village to the opening ceremony. Equally we became aware of the merits of staging rugby 7s at Ibrox. With Hampden, the use of all three major stadia in the city was a crucial selling point to the voters.

Is the SNP's decision to scrap the Edinburgh airport rail link, damaging Scotland's international transport connectivity, a setback for Glasgow 2014?

Anthony Pacone, by e-mail

No. We based our transport plan on the athletes and officials coming into Glasgow International Airport. Edinburgh and Prestwick will also be used, but mainly for incoming spectators. The Edinburgh rail link was noted but not defined as an essential element of our bid.

Can a country be removed from the Games on political grounds?

Scott McNaughton, by e-mail

The constitution of the Commonwealth Games Federation states that countries which are not full members of the Commonwealth cannot compete. The CGF does not discriminate on the grounds of politics, so countries suspended from Commonwealth Committees are still able to take part. Conversely, a country such as Zimbabwe could not take part as it has withdrawn fully from the Commonwealth.