November 9/07 1:10 am - Glasgow to Host 2014 Commonwealth Games

Posted by Editor on 11/9/07
 

Glasgow to Host 2014 Commonwealth Games

With files from SIRC

The Commonwealth Games Federation announced today that Glasgow, Scotland beat out Abuja, Nigeria by a 47-24 vote for the right to host the 20th Commonwealth Games in 2014. Halifax, Nova Scotia was an early contender for 2014, but pulled out after funding issues were raised at the local level.

"The City of Glasgow provided us with an outstanding bid and given Scotland's track record of hosting quality international events, we are confident that the 2014 games will be an over-whelming success," commented Dr. Andrew Pipe, President of Commonwealth Games Canada at the conclusion of the vote.

"I want to also congratulate the City of Abuja for its bid. The Nigerian host committee provided a solid proposal however the expertise in hosting international events including the 2012 Olympics in the United Kingdom tipped the scale towards Glasgow."

The selection of Glasgow as the host city for the XX Commonwealth Games concludes a bidding process that was three-years in the making.

Canada has hosted the Commonwealth Games on four occasions including the first games in Hamilton in 1930 and the last coming in Victoria, BC in 1994. "Canada was the first country to host the Commonwealth Games and it is within our strategic vision to again host within our borders," said Thomas Jones, Chief Executive Officer of CGC. He added that, "We are currently reviewing the mechanisms that will be used to determine when Canada will apply to next host the Commonwealth Games."