Let the planning for the Games begin as Glasgow 2014 appoints steering group

A GROUP has been set up to oversee the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, as well as the baton relay and cultural activities leading up to the event.

Organisers of Glasgow 2014 said a steering group would be tasked with setting the tone of all three strands under one “co-ordinated approach”.

The opening ceremony is on 23 July, 2014, at Celtic Park, marking the beginning of 11 days of competition.

The Games officially get under way when the Queen’s baton relay arrives and a message from the monarch is read aloud to athletes. Glasgow’s relay will visit all 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth, as well as travelling throughout Scotland.

Board member Eileen Gallagher, chief executive of an independent TV production company, will chair the group.

Glasgow Life, the private body that runs Glasgow’s museums, libraries and sports facilities, will work on the cultural programme with the organising committee, building on the experience of managing the flag handover ceremony at Delhi 2010. A worldwide search for a creative team to lead the production of the opening and closing ceremonies will be launched in the coming weeks.

Lord Smith of Kelvin, chair of Glasgow 2014, said: “In less than three years, all eyes will be on Glasgow and this is a unique opportunity for us to showcase the city and Scotland to both the Commonwealth and the world. In Eileen we have the creative skills, vision and drive to oversee the creation of breathtaking events that will not only generate excitement about Glasgow 2014 at home and abroad but will ensure a memorable experience of the Games and Scotland.”

Sport minister Shona Robison said: “The steering group led by Eileen Gallagher has an important role to play in ensuring the delivery of a memorable cultural programme across the whole of Scotland.”