Calling the bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games “more tense than any election”, Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said the 2014 Games would showcase Glasgow as “the friendly city”. Salmond said, “we will make these games the greatest sporting event our country has ever seen”. He called it “a great day for Glasgow, a great day for Scotland”.
Salmond described today’s announcement that Glasgow had won the 2014 Commonwealth Games over Abuja, the culmination of years of hard work. “We put together a great bid and this was recognized by the voters”.
He quoted a report by the evaluation commission that said Glasgow had demonstrated the ability to put on an event that would enhance the image and prestige of the Commonwealth Games. “But it’s all of us – the people of Scotland – who have helped make our Games dream a reality. The enthusiasm and excitement shown by people across the country did not go unnoticed. It’s up to us all now to keep building the buzz to make sure we put on an electrifying Games and to make sure that we make the most of this wonderful opportunity”.
Although they were confident before heading to Sri Lanka for the vote, when they arrived Glasgow 2014 officials were concerned that the decision would be a close won. Abuja’s bid had a strong emotional appeal but in the end Glasgow triumphed over Abuja by a vote of 47 to 24.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown called it “a great decade for sport” in Britain, with the 2012 Olympics and bids in for the 2015 Rugby World Cup and football’s 2018 World Cup.
The news was broadcast live in Glasgow on large screens in several public events and on the Internet.
