Glasgow to host 2014 Commonwealth Games
- Published in Monthly News
Glasgow has won the right to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, obtaining 47 out of 71 votes. The net economic benefit to the city is expected to be in the region of £26m and a further £55m to the Scottish economy as a whole.
Glasgow has won the right to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, obtaining 47 out of 71 votes. The only rival bid came from Abuja, Nigeria, which received 24 votes.
What started off as a three way competition to host the games, was reduced to two after the bid from Halifax, Canada was abruptly withdrawn in March. The bid was withdrawn after the province of Nova Scotia and The City of Halifax decided they could no longer provide funding for the bid.
The Glasgow bid has placed a great emphasis on the using the games as a springboard for economic and social regeneration in the city. Mike Fennell, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, stated that "the Commonwealth Games is firmly recognised as a major world event, delivering a substantial legacy to the cities which host the event." Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's Deputy First Minister, commented that the games would help "in our bid to inspire a whole generation to live healthier, more physically active lifestyles."
The creation of an athlete’s village, which will provide accommodation for up to 8000 people during the games, is hoped to improve the variety of housing stock in the city. After the games, the complex will be used to provide affordable housing, with all of the houses being made available for sale or socially rented through housing associations.
The net economic benefit to the city is expected to be in the region of £26m and a further £55m to the Scottish economy as a whole.
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