The Scotsman reports that the success of Glasgow’s bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games is likely to depend on the strength of the opposition, and in particular which of five Canadian cities emerges as Canada’s candidate for the 2014 Games.
Hamilton, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary and York Region are in contention but according to the Scotsman, York Region, a suburb of Toronto, “may pose the greatest threat to a Scottish success”.
“A suburb of Toronto, which would have bid for the 2012 Olympics had Whistler (Vancouver 2010) not been awarded the 2010 Winter Olympics, York Region would be highly fancied, if only because of the momentum that exists throughout Greater Toronto to bring a major games to the area” reports the Scotsman.
GamesBids.com has repeatedly tried to contact York Region regarding its 2014 Commonwealth Games bid but to date York Region has not replied.
Although it considers York Region a threat the Scotsman says one of the key strengths of Glasgow’s bid is its early “declaration of intent” since Canada has not yet selected which city would represent the country for the 2014 Commonwealth bid. Glasgow’s preferred slogan is “Up and running”.
If Glasgow’s bid is successful, golf may make its first appearance in the Commonwealth Games and rowing would likely return for the first time since the 1986 Edinburgh Games.
