Sir Sean Connery helps Glasgow win 2014 Commonwealth Games
10-Nov-2007 • Actor News
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There was no escaping Commonwealth Games fever yesterday as Glaswegians on buses, trains, taxis and the underground learned that they were to host one of the great sporting jamborees.
Thousands of people gathered at events across the city to await the announcement from Sri Lanka. The decision was relayed on screens at airports and bus stations.
The result was passed on to passengers on trains, planes and automobiles amid a well-orchestrated display of Saltire waving and breast beating in Scotland's biggest city.
The moment of triumph was only slightly marred by an embarrassing faux pas by BBC Scotland, which sent a large team to Colombo to cover the event live, only to miss the announcement.
Television viewers had to surmise for themselves that Scotland had won the right to host the 20th Commonwealth Games when they saw Alex Salmond embracing Louise Martin, of the Games council for Scotland.
Luckily for Glasgow, the BBC team was not involved in the bid, which was praised for its style and professionalism.
There were fears that Abuja would win a sentimental decision to give the event to Africa for the first time, but the Scottish bid, launched in 2004, was by general consensus far superior.
The First Minister delivered the final appeal to the 71 delegates of the Commonwealth Games Federation in Sri Lanka, after a video presentation with a voice over by Sean Connery.
From the moment that the former James Bond announced that "Shh-cotland is a modern, dynamic nation" it looked as if there could be only one winner. Glasgow carried the day by 23 votes, and the party began as soon as BBC Scotland caught up with the story.
Mr Salmond said it would be the best Commonwealth Games ever held.
He added: "We will make these Games the greatest sporting event our country has ever seen."
The victory also produced unlikely dancing partners back in Glasgow, where Nicola Sturgeon, the Deputy First Minister, was seen jigging on stage to a Proclaimers song.
She danced on the spot, arm in arm with Annabel Goldie, the Scottish Tory leader, while Wendy Alexander, the Labour leader, made a game, but unconvincing, attempt at jumping for joy.
Jack McConnell, the former First Minister who started the ball rolling three years ago, said it would be a sporting occasion that "the world would never forget".
Lee McConnell, the 400m runner and one of the athletes who toured Commonwealth countries to support the bid, predicted a "fantastic" impact on her home city.
"I was born and raised in Glasgow and I understand what it can do for Scotland and for the city," she added.
Liz McColgan, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist, said the decision made her wish she was "a 16-year-old again".
According to the city fathers of Manchester, hosting the 2002 Games has been a hugely positive experience for the city with a lasting legacy in terms of investment and visitor numbers.
Glasgow will hope to emulate that success, with millions of pounds earmarked for the rundown east end.
The deprived Dalmarnock and Parkhead areas will be the setting for an athlete's village, and will also get a national indoor sports facility and velodrome. The houses will be sold after the Games.
July 23, 2014. Put the date in your diary. Who knows, the opening ceremony may even be televised live.
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