Glasgow wins 2014 Commonwealth Games

from tomorrow morning's (today's) Glasgow Herald (11/10):

It’s Glasgow’s Games as city wins 2014 bid

"Glasgow struck gold yesterday when the city landed the 2014 Commonwealth Games with a convincing 47-24 vote majority over Nigerian capital Abuja.

The decision sparked massive celebrations among the Scottish bid team in Sri Lanka and thousands of Glaswegians 5600 miles away, watching the declaration live on giant TV screens at a series of public events.

Now Glasgow plans to use the gift of the Games to change the face of the city and major sport forever, an intention which had been shared by the losing team. But Nigeria's hopes of becoming the first African country to host the event were dashed." ...

"The Games are expected to cost Scotland around £300m to stage, with the costs split 80-20 between the Scottish Government and the city. However, the potential financial benefits have been estimated to top £1bn. Council leader Steven Purcell pledged the city's £60m share of expenditure would not cause a council tax increase.

"It's a contract with the Scottish Government. At no point will this be added to council tax. Glasgow, as second city of the Empire, took plenty out of the Commonwealth and now it's our turn to put something back," he said." ...

"The Games will open at Celtic Park on July 23, with athletes able to walk to the ceremony from the nearby village in Dalmarnock for the first time. Competition will begin the next day and run to August 4, with the closing ceremony at Hampden.

The rugby sevens tournament will be held at Ibrox, highlighting access to three world-class facilities already in place, another powerful plank in the Glasgow submission."

for the complete story see:
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.182349
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