2014 Commonwealth Games

Glasgow has been chosen to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games!

In Colombo Sri Lanka, 71 delegates voted to select the host of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Glasgow Scotland beat its only rival Abuja Nigeria by 47 votes to 24.

Well done to all the members of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland for their hard work. special thanks go to Louise Martin and Commonwealth medal winnner Jamie Quarry.

Alex Salmond, Scotland's First Minister and SNP leader, led the team in a last presentation which lasted 30 minutes. Many Scottish (and UK) celebrities supported Scotland's bid, notably Sir Sean Connery. Also the hard work put in by Councillor Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council must be acknowledged.

A special mention must go to Jack McConnell, the previous First Minister of Scotland and former Scottish Labour leader, for starting the ball rolling in 2002, when he came back from the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games. He formally backed Scotland's bid in 2005.

This major event should bring employment to Glasgow, build new sporting arenas, and modernise the transport infrastructure. Many ambitious and exciting projects are due to become a reality, and Glasgow will not only successfully host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, but will be recognised throughout the world as a major sporting and tourist attraction, with its modern facilities, hospitality, and of course, its architecture.