Scotland’s bid for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games received a boost when it was announced that Scotland’s art and culture will be showcased at the London 2012 Olympic Games marking itself as a gateway to the Edinburgh Festival.
The Herald reports that Bill Morris, the man charged with organizing the Cultural Olympiad which will run alongside the London 2012 Games, said the relatively short flight time between London and Edinburgh meant the festival would be one of the cultural “powerhouses” promoted at the Summer Games.
Morris said he already had hundreds of ideas from artists and organizations for events linked to the Games, and there was no doubt that Scotland would receive recognition.
He added “Scotland is a major global centre of culture, particularly Edinburgh and Glasgow, and although this is just the start of our plans and I am not ruling anything in or out, I am here to talk about what a successful Cultural Olympiad is all about”.
Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson said, “Scotland boasts world-class museums, galleries, theatres and an abundance of creative talent and London 2012 will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase our country’s cutting-edge culture”.
Glasgow is bidding against Halifax and Abuja for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
