YEARS of preparation came to a climax today when Glasgow discovered that its bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games has been successful.
By a vote of 47-24, Glasgow beat Abuja, Nigeria, in the contest to host the Games. All 71 Commonwealth member countries and territories had a single vote.
The focus of the Glasgow bid has been its readiness in terms of infrastructure and facilities, as well as taking advantage of the goodwill felt towards Scotland by fellow Commonwealth countries.
The Nigerians have concentrated on the emotional appeal of bringing what would be the first Commonwealth Games to be held in Africa.
Africa is the only region in the Commonwealth – the body composed of former members of the British Empire – not to have hosted the Games.
Abuja's chances of winning the right to host the games were dealt a blow in September after a four-member evaluation team found fault with the city's plans for budgeting, transport, marketing and venues.
It will be the first time Scotland's largest city has staged the Games, although the capital Edinburgh has had it twice – in 1970 and 1986.
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond hailed Glasgow's victory and pledged: "We will make these Games the greatest sporting event our country has ever seen. They will be our chance to show the whole world the very best of Scotland."
SportScotland chair Julia Bracewell predicted the result would have a lasting impact on the country.
She said: "It is fantastic news that Glasgow has won the right to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games for Scotland.
"Hosting such a high-profile event will undoubtedly help to drive sport forward at all levels, increasing participation and improving performance.
"It will provide Scottish athletes with the advantage of competing and being supported on home soil. And as importantly, it will give coaches, officials and volunteers the experience of a lifetime."
Scottish Swimming chief executive Ashley Howard is looking forward to a successful 2014 Games in the pool, after Scotland won 12 medals at the 2006 Games in Melbourne.
Howard said: "The support our athletes and coaches enjoyed in Melbourne 18 months ago will be nothing compared with the home support we will have here in seven years’ time.
"I am also looking forward to the plans for Tollcross, the 2014 swimming venue, coming to fruition and the Games leaving a wonderful swimming legacy for future generations to enjoy for years to come."
Watch the moment Glasgow found out
The announcement ceremony
There was pandemonium in Glasgow's Fruitmarket today as it hosted a concert for the 1,200 school childred, athletes and politicians gathered to watch the announcement live from Columbo, Sri Lanka.
The event, compered by Dougie Donnelly, featured live music from Deacon Blue, Amy MacDonald and a ceilidh band, also featured a screening of the 30-minute promotional film shown to the voting members of the Commonwealth in Sri Lanka. Featuring Sean Connery, it showcased the highlights of what Scotland and Glasgow has to offer as a host to the Games.
Come the announcement itself, a deafening cheer went up as the crowd went wild. The news was accompanied by '500 Miles' by The Proclaimers and 'Chelsea Dagger' by The Fratellis.
SNP Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon danced on the stage with Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander as ticker tape rained down and indoor fireworks went off.
After the announcement, Nicola Sturgeon told the crowd: "I love Glasgow. It's absolutely brilliant. A big well done to all our girls and guys in Sri Lanka. This is absolutely fantastic for Glasgow and all of Scotland."
Scots Tory leader Annabel Goldie and former Scottish rugby international Gregor Townsend were also pictured dancing jigs of delight as the crowd went wild.
The decision
CGF president Mike Fennell commended both bids but admitted Abuja faced a tall order competing against Glasgow.
"Glasgow put forward a very strong, very professional bid for the Games and they were always going to be hard to beat," said Jamaican Fennell.
"We are extremely confident that the country, the city, and its organising committee will deliver excellent Games in 2014.
"It was evident from the presentation that we received today that Glasgow will be passionate about welcoming the Commonwealth in 2014, and the people of the city and all of Scotland will get right behind the athletes and make the Games an outstanding success."
Fennell urged Abuja to bid again.
He said: "We had two very realistic options before us and I hope that Abuja will consider renewing their candidature for the 2018 Games as it is important that the hosting of the Games involves all regions of the Commonwealth and we hope that we will see them in Africa in the not too distant future."
Key facts
• The budget for the Games is £288million.
• Sir Sean Connery was an ambassador for Glasgow’s bid. He sent each delegate a letter earlier this year.
• 1,765,087 individuals and organisations signed up to back Scotland’s bid.
• The Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council agreed to underwrite the costs of staging the Games. This will be on the basis of an 80/20 split. It is expected that the majority of the 80% of costs to be covered by the Executive will be new money committed to the sports and major events budget.
• The Games will be held over 11 days, with the opening ceremony on July 23, 2014, and the last day of competition and closing ceremony on August 3, 2014.
• There will be between 6,000 and 6,500 athletes and officials attending the Games.
• They will be housed in a purpose-built athletes' village in the east end of the city. The houses will be made available for sale or socially rented housing after the Games.
• The 17 sports chosen for the Glasgow 2014 Games are: athletics, aquatics, boxing, badminton, weightlifting, lawn bowls, hockey (men and women), rugby sevens (men), squash, netball (women), cycling, shooting, wrestling, gymnastics, judo, table tennis, triathlon.
• The main track and field events will take place at Hampden Park, as will the closing ceremony.
• The opening ceremony will be held at Celtic Park while Ibrox would host the rugby sevens competition.
• Events will also take place at Tollcross International Aquatics Centre and the Kelvin Hall arena among other existing venues.
• A new national indoor sports arena and a velodrome will be purpose-built in the east end of the city.
Buy Saturday's Scotsman for full coverage from both Sri Lanka and Glasgow
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