Monday 09 January 2006
First Minister and Council Leader call on Scots to back Commonwealth Games bid
A new campaign has been launched to encourage the whole of Scotland to back the bid to bring the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow
The campaign is seeking to gather signatures of support which can be offered in three ways
- By registering on the official website at www.glasgow2014.com
- By texting GOLD to 61611
- By completing a postcard distributed through sports clubs and leisure centres
A number of high profile celebrities have already publicly demonstrated their support including
Sir Alex Ferguson, Ally McCoist, Shirley Robertson, Lulu, Nick Nairn, Colin Montgomerie,
and Carol Smillie.
Jack McConnell, the First Minister said: "Scotland was the first country to launch a bid for the 2014 Games back in August. Last month we were the first to accept the candidature rules and officially declare to the Commonwealth Games Federation our desire to host the Games.Today is the next step on our journey. We are launching Scotland's brand and inviting the whole country to sign up in support of Scotland's bid. I ask the people of Scotland to demonstrate to the Commonwealth their tremendous enthusiasm for their nation's bid."
Steven Purcell, the Leader of the City Council said: "The Commonwealth Games provides a huge opportunity for Glasgow to work with the rest of Scotland to deliver a truly international event. Glasgow can stage a high quality and low risk Games in a vibrant, multicultural and friendly city."
Further endorsement of the campaign and logo has been given by Louise Martin, Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland who said : "The Commonwealth Games grows in scale every four years. There is huge excitement in bringing an event with the stature of the Games to our small nation. 2104 gives us the chance to say to the rest of the world that small nations can not only deliver these Games but can provide an event to rival anything that has come before and a spectacle that visitors will never forget."
The official logo for the bid has also been unveiled. It has been designed to represent the modernity of Glasgow
and Scotland while acknowledging the country's cultural heritage as it is recognised by the rest of the world. It has two distinct
elements; the logo and the modern tartan backdrop. The logo is inspired by the Games 'friendly' theme and is loosely based on two
people coming together to form two Xs - 2014 will be the twentieth Games. The typography also refers to Glasgow most famous
designer, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The second element is the tartan backdrop which will provide a common Scottish theme to all
communication and reflect the nation in a 'bold and modern light'. The logo can also be found at
www.glasgow2014.com
Scotland faces competition to host the 2014 from Abuja, Nigeria, and Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The Commonwealth Games Federation will announce the name of the 2014 host city in Sri Lanka in October 2007.
The Scottish team for the 2006 Melbourne Games leaves for Australia soon.