Exclusive: Commonwealth Games Federation wants explanation over Scott resignation

Mike Hooper, the chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), has admitted his organisation is "extremely disappointed" with the circumstances that led to the resignation of John Scott (pictured left) as the chief executive of the Glasgow 2014 and joined calls for more light to be shed on the matter.

Scott stepped down from his £179,000 ($286,000) a year job this week after what Glasgow 2014 chairman Lord Robert Smith cryptically described as "an error of judgement he made in accepting, and not declaring, an offer from one of Glasgow 2014's potential suppliers, in breach of the Organising Committee's strict Gifts and Gratuities policy".

The lack of any substantial facts from Glasgow 2014 regarding the sudden and mysterious departure of Scott, who is highly regarded in the organisation, has led to various unconfirmed rumours being spread about the incident and even seen senior Scottish Government officials, including Labour Culture spokeswomen Patricia Ferguson, claim that the public have a right to know the full details of Scott's decision.

Hooper, who is also a member of the Board of the Organising Committee, has said that he fully supports the decision taken by Lord Smith to accept the resignation of Scott but he backs the calls for further disclosure of the facts involved in the issue.

"The CGF is extremely disappointed with what has occurred in Glasgow which has led to the resignation of their chief executive John Scott and supports the position taken by the Chairman of the Organising Committee Lord Smith," Hooper told insidethegames here in the Sri Lankan capital where he is part of the CGF Evaluation Commission inspecting Hambantota's bid for the 2018 Games.

"In doing so however, the CGF also supports the disclosure of the circumstances that led to Mr Scott's resignation."

Scottish politicians demand to know reason for Scott resignation at Glasgow 2014

John Scott's shock resignation as chief executive of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games has sparked a political row in Scotland with Labour, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats all joining forces to claim that the SNP Government had handled the "situation very badly" with the affair even being compared to the current crisis that has engulfed FIFA, world football's governing body.

Scott stepped down from his £179,000 ($286,000) per year job yesterday after he admitted breaking rules over accepting gifts and hospitality from a potential supplier.

He called it an "error of judgement" but mystery surrounds the exact circumstances behind the reasons for his resignation.

Labour Culture spokeswomen Patricia Ferguson claimed that the public have a right to know the full details of Scott's decision.

But Glasgow 2014 spokeswoman said it is a private limited company set up by the Government and Glasgow City Council alongside Games partners - the Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Scotland.

It is, she said, not subject to the Freedom of Information Act, which gives taxpayers legal rights to see information from Scottish public authorities.

Ferguson said: "There must be full public disclosure immediately.

"The public have a right to know the reasons behind the resignation of the chief executive in mysterious circumstances.

"The reputation and integrity of the Games are at stake and they cannot afford to be tainted by this.

"The Scottish Government should also make clear if there is substance to media reports about a fall-out between the First Minister [Alex Salmond] and the chief executive."

Tory deputy leader Murdo Fraser said: "The chief executive's resignation at such a crucial time is a serious blow to the 2014 Games, an event we all want to succeed.

"It is clear from the growing confusion that the SNP Government has handled this situation very badly and, by being so secretive, has in fact made it worse.

"The SNP must act now to remove the stench engulfing this affair, or total chaos will ensue."

Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: "If we are going to have confidence in the running of these Games and so they don't get caught up in the scandals of Olympics past and FIFA present, the Scottish Government needs to come clean.

"With hundreds of millions of taxpayers' money being spent on these Games, it is essential that we are given a proper explanation."

Scott resigns as chief executive of Glasgow 2014 after "error of judgement"

John Scott today resigned as the chief executive of the Organising Committee for Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games with immediate affect following an "error of judgement" involving a supplier.

He stepped down after he admitted breaking rules over accepting gifts and hospitality from a potential supplier.

Lord Smith, chairman of Glasgow 2014, said in a statement: "John Scott has made an important contribution to the planning of what we believe will be an outstanding Games.

"The Board has accepted his resignation today for an error of judgement he made in accepting, and not declaring, an offer from one of Glasgow 2014's potential suppliers, in breach of the Organising Committee's strict gifts and gratuities policy."

Scott had joined Glasgow 2014 in April 2008 from UK Sport, where he had been the·International Director and Director of Drug-Free Sport.

Smith said: "I know he deeply regrets this mistake and this was a job that he loved.

"It is a measure of the man that he has put the values and reputation of the OC ahead of his own at this time.

"John was largely responsible for setting the OC's high standards of governance and he felt he could not continue in his role as chief executive under the circumstances."

David Grevemberg, the chief operating officer, will take charge of the Organising Committee until a permanent appointment is made.

The American joined Glasgow in August 2009 having previously been executive director of sport and international federation relations at the International Paralympic Committee.

Smith said: "Now we must look to the future.

"We have a great team in the Organising Committee and a strong relationship with our Games Partners.

"We are on track and on budget and do not intend to let the pace of our preparations drop."

Scotland's Commonwealth Games Minister Shona Robison has reacted to the news.

She said: "John Scott has made a valuable contribution as chief executive of the Organising Committee.

"He played a leading role in ensuring the delivery of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow remains on schedule and within budget.

"However, the reputation and integrity of our Games is paramount and to that end I believe Mr Scott has done the right and principled thing in stepping down.

"The standards that apply in a company responsible to the public are of necessity higher than those which prevail in private business and I fully support the decision taken by the Organising Committee."

Vicky Strange joins Glasgow 2014 as head of sport competition

Vicky Strange, one of the key figures behind Scotland's medal success at last year's 2010 Commonwealth Games, has been appointed as the head of sport competition at Glasgow 2014, it has been announced.

Her primary focus will be the establishment of a sport competition functional area, which will become the largest and most visible element of the sport department across all 17 Games sports.

This will include leading on all sport-specific technical and operational planning, the development of technical officials for each sport and the recruitment and management of each sport-specific competition management team.

"Vicky's previous roles and experiences have enabled her to develop strong relationships with a variety of sporting stakeholders, particularly with each of our Scottish Sports Governing Bodies, as well as gaining valuable exposure to different international competitions," said Glasgow 2014 chief executive John Scott.

"Vicky's mix of qualifications, skills, experiences and adventures all ensure that she will be a great asset to the Glasgow 2014 team."

As well as playing a pivotal role in Team Scotland's second most successful Games performance as general team manager in Delhi, where they won a total of 26 medals, including nine gold, to finish tenth overall, Strange has also been involved in varying capacities at both the Manchester 2002 and Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

In addition to her Commonwealth Games experience, she has undertaken a variety of high performance and sport development roles in Scotland and is extensively travelled, including a cycle tour from New Zealand back to Scotland.

On starting her new role, Strange said: "I have had the great privilege of working at three previous Commonwealth Games, but to be involved in a Games in your own country is something extra special.

"The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games provide a fantastic opportunity for Scottish sport and I'm really excited to have the opportunity to play an integral part in staging a successful event for Scotland.

"Glasgow 2014 is to pride itself on being an outstanding athlete-centred and sport-focused Games of world-class competition so I am very much looking forward to ensuring we deliver this core value to our competing athletes."

In addition to her new role at Glasgow 2014, Strange will also continue to lead Scotland's team at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Isle of Man in September as general team manager.

Louis Rosa to deliver Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay

Glasgow 2014 announces today that event management expert Louis Rosa will lead on one of the Commonwealth Games’ greatest traditions and the most complex event outside the Games themselves – the Queen’s Baton Relay.

The Queen’s Baton Relay has been the curtain-raiser to every Commonwealth Games since Cardiff 1958 and is a powerful representation of the unity and diversity of the Commonwealth of Nations. It symbolises the gathering of people from across the Commonwealth at the four-yearly festival of sport and culture.

Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive John Scott said“Louis has an unrivalled track record in planning and delivering some of the most vibrant, logistically challenging and technologically advanced relay events the world has ever seen.

“He has a terrific history in multi-sport Games and it is with delight that I welcome him to Glasgow 2014 where he will once again be challenged to deliver a vital aspect of what will be an outstanding Games for Glasgow and for Scotland.”

Louis Rosa added:”I am thrilled to join the Glasgow 2014 team and I look forward to the challenge of producing the baton relay. I am sure that it will be an event that Scotland will embrace as its own and be a source of pride for all Scots as the relay travels throughout the Commonwealth and Scotland.”

Louis brings with him experience of seven major multi-sport Games with specific expertise of complex Baton Relay’s from two Commonwealth Games (Manchester 2002 and Delhi 2010) and Torch Relay expertise from the Beijing 2008 Olympics, two Winter Olympics (Torino 2006 and Vancouver 2010) and the Doha 2006 Asian Games.

He has also garnered experience from the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and other major sporting occasions such as the 2003 Rugby World Cup where he managed the 100 day promotional build-up billed as the “True Colours Tour”.

A true global specialist in complex international events, Louis is proficient in every area of the process, directly managing and leading on every aspect from concept through to implementation and delivery including the recruitment of baton-bearers.

Louis is also a qualified accountant and has also held senior event and finance positions for numerous Games and other events organisations over the last 15 years.

Volunteers required for televised event in Edinburgh

A great opportunity for volunteers to be part of a televised event in Edinburgh to promote the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. This volunteering opportunity is for participation in the Royal Mile Parade on Friday 1st July 2011.
Glasgow 2014 will have a presence at the opening of the Scottish Parliament, and will be participating in a procession down the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. We are looking for volunteers who will represent the 71 Commonwealth Games Family countries to participate in this event, which will be attended by Her Majesty the Queen, MSP’s and dignitaries.
Applicants should be 18 or over and will be required to carry one of the 71 Commonwealth flags as part of the parade, and will be given a G2014 T-shirt to wear for the event and to keep as a souvenir. A complimentary lunch will be provided. Exact timings and location of the gathering will be confirmed closer to the time, with participants approximately taking part between 9am – 12pm.
There will be national and international live broadcasts, and be representations from national and local newspapers
Applicants are required to submit the following information by Thursday 23rd June 2011 direct to aimee.wilson@glasgow2014.com
Name:
Address (required for sending out parade passes in advance):
Contact Email:
Contact Telephone:

Glasgow 2014 to deliver some carnival Clow-t

Victoria Clow, a member of Team Scotland at Delhi 2010 and one of Scotland's young Commonwealth Games prospects for Glasgow 2014, will form part of a colourful showcase at the city's annual West End Festival.

Every year, Glaswegians look forward to the giant carnival that weaves its way through the city as part of the West End Festival with great anticipation, but this time, they will also await a chance to see Clow in action on "Festival Sunday" (June 5) as the city closes in on the milestone of three years to go.

The famous Mardi Gras parade involves over 800 participants and 10 samba bands, but very few will have the same credentials as rhythmic gymnast Clow.

Looking forward to being part of the celebrations, the 16-year-old Craigholme School pupil said: "The West End Festival is a fantastic event so I'm really excited about being involved in such a vibrant carnival – especially as part of the plans for Glasgow 2014.

"Representing Scotland in Delhi was an unbelievable experience but this will be another great stage for me as I continue preparations towards hopefully competing in my hometown in just over three years' time."

The festival, which runs from today until June 26, has over 600 events ranging from classical and choral music, folk, rock, jazz, theatre, dance, children's authors, guided walks to local gala days.

In 2010, more than 165,000 people attended free and ticketed events.

The famous "Festival Sunday" alone attracts tens of thousands from all over the city and central Scotland.