On Thursday 21 July, Glasgow 2014 - in partnership with Glasgow City Marketing Bureau – will host local businesses at a free business information evening at the Old Fruitmarket.
The event aims to update them on the planning and preparation for the XX Commonwealth Games and the associated opportunities that exist for local businesses.
David Grevemberg, Acting Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014, together with Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, will begin the evening by outlining the importance of the Commonwealth Games coming to Glasgow in 2014. Further insights from various members of the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee will also be presented.
Representatives from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the Government Olympic Executive will also be in attendance to enable local companies to engage directly with the different organisations working on the 2012 Olympic Football at Hampden Park and the Torch Relay event which will tour right across the country.
The format will include workshop tables with the organisations mentioned above with support from; Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, EventScotland, Creative Scotland, Business Club Scotland, VisitBritain, VisitScotland, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life.
If you or your business would like to attend the evening, please click here for more information and to register your interest.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Michael Jamieson sets sights on Glasgow 2014 'fairytale'
Fresh from his double-gold medal winning performances at Tollcross in the Scottish National Championships, in the pool where he developed as a swimmer, Michael is excited by the prospect of being back where it all began at Glasgow 2014.
With the World Championships coming up in Shanghai later this month and London 2012 on the horizon, the 22-year-old has plenty to concentrate on. However, with Glasgow 2014 fast approaching, Michael's mind is firmly set on his mission of going for gold at the Commonwealth Games in his home city.
Jamieson said: "Glasgow 2014 could be a bit of a fairytale for me. Home city, home advantage. Tollcross is where I did all my hard work as an age grouper with City of Glasgow, where I developed as a swimmer and where I decided that swimming was the path I wanted to go down."
Michael first tasted global success at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, bringing back a silver medal from his first senior international competition for his efforts in the 200m breaststroke.
"The Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games was my first taste of silverware on the senior international stage and it was an amazing experience. It was great to make that step up and I'm delighted it was with Team Scotland.
"There has already been amazing support and excitement in the lead up to the Games and it's only going to build from here on in."
Glasgow 2014’s Athletes’ Committee appoints new members
The Athletes' Advisory Committee (AAC) for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games has appointed three new members as the Committee broadens its expertise. Offering advice over the next three years to the Glasgow 2014 Board and Organising Committee (OC), the AAC will be responsible for providing an athlete perspective for the Games and will play a crucial advisory role in relation to Games planning. The AAC will become a key component in supporting the OC achieve its vision of a truly athlete centred and sport focused Games.
The AAC, which now has eight members, is made up of current Scottish athletes who are aiming to compete at Glasgow 2014 and former Scottish athletes who have a vast experience in competing at Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Chaired by former Scottish international hockey player Rhona Simpson, who competed in three Commonwealth Games (1998, 2002 and 2006) and twice represented Great Britain at the Summer Olympics (1996 and 2000), the AAC appointed:
Susan Egelstaff, the current highest ranked female Badminton athlete in the United Kingdom, Susan has competed for Scotland at three Commonwealth Games (2002, 2006 and 2010) securing a Team Bronze medal in 2002 and an Individual Singles Bronze in 2006.
Neil Stirton, a current Scottish international shooting athlete, Neil has competed at two Commonwealth Games (2006, 2010), securing a silver medal in Melbourne 2006 and going better to secure Gold in Delhi 2010, along with partner Jonathon Hammond. The pair also secured Bronze in Delhi 2010, providing Neil with a full set of medals across two Games.
Frania Gillen-Buchert, a current Scottish international squash athlete, Frania has competed at two Commonwealth Games (2006 and 2010), in both singles and doubles events. Frania is also employed by Judo Scotland, providing a multi-sport perspective to the group.
The AAC will provide a perspective on behalf of all athletes and will make a number of recommendations to the Board and OC over the next three years that will help shape the overall Games experience for all athletes coming to Glasgow in 2014.
Susan Egelstaff, the highest ranked female Badminton athlete in the UK, said: "It's really exciting to be involved in the preparations for Glasgow 2014 and being involved in the Athletes' Advisory Committee will benefit not only myself but all the athletes coming from the Commonwealth for the Games in 2014.
"We will work closely with the Organising Committee and the Board over the next three years to ensure that athletes are represented and we will be consulted on a number of issues that will affect us all in 2014. I can't wait to see all the work coming together to produce a fantastic Games and I can't wait to play in front of my home crowd in Glasgow."
David Grevemberg, acting Chief Executive at Glasgow 2014 said: "The Athletes' Advisory Committee is truly valuable in our preparation for 2014 and the Committee will play a crucial role over the next three years in staying true to our vision of an athlete centred, sport focused Games.
"All the athletes involved offer a vast amount of multi-sport experience and represent a variety of sports and disciplines. All of them are passionate about Glasgow staging a great Games and we're delighted to welcome the new members to the Committee."
The AAC, which now has eight members, is made up of current Scottish athletes who are aiming to compete at Glasgow 2014 and former Scottish athletes who have a vast experience in competing at Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Chaired by former Scottish international hockey player Rhona Simpson, who competed in three Commonwealth Games (1998, 2002 and 2006) and twice represented Great Britain at the Summer Olympics (1996 and 2000), the AAC appointed:
Susan Egelstaff, the current highest ranked female Badminton athlete in the United Kingdom, Susan has competed for Scotland at three Commonwealth Games (2002, 2006 and 2010) securing a Team Bronze medal in 2002 and an Individual Singles Bronze in 2006.
Neil Stirton, a current Scottish international shooting athlete, Neil has competed at two Commonwealth Games (2006, 2010), securing a silver medal in Melbourne 2006 and going better to secure Gold in Delhi 2010, along with partner Jonathon Hammond. The pair also secured Bronze in Delhi 2010, providing Neil with a full set of medals across two Games.
Frania Gillen-Buchert, a current Scottish international squash athlete, Frania has competed at two Commonwealth Games (2006 and 2010), in both singles and doubles events. Frania is also employed by Judo Scotland, providing a multi-sport perspective to the group.
The AAC will provide a perspective on behalf of all athletes and will make a number of recommendations to the Board and OC over the next three years that will help shape the overall Games experience for all athletes coming to Glasgow in 2014.
Susan Egelstaff, the highest ranked female Badminton athlete in the UK, said: "It's really exciting to be involved in the preparations for Glasgow 2014 and being involved in the Athletes' Advisory Committee will benefit not only myself but all the athletes coming from the Commonwealth for the Games in 2014.
"We will work closely with the Organising Committee and the Board over the next three years to ensure that athletes are represented and we will be consulted on a number of issues that will affect us all in 2014. I can't wait to see all the work coming together to produce a fantastic Games and I can't wait to play in front of my home crowd in Glasgow."
David Grevemberg, acting Chief Executive at Glasgow 2014 said: "The Athletes' Advisory Committee is truly valuable in our preparation for 2014 and the Committee will play a crucial role over the next three years in staying true to our vision of an athlete centred, sport focused Games.
"All the athletes involved offer a vast amount of multi-sport experience and represent a variety of sports and disciplines. All of them are passionate about Glasgow staging a great Games and we're delighted to welcome the new members to the Committee."
Brian MacPherson named Commonwealth Games Canada CEO
Dr. Andrew Pipe, President of Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC), today announced that Brian MacPherson is the organization's new Chief Executive Officer.
"Brian is a proven leader with an abundance of highly relevant experience," stated Dr. Pipe. "An innovator and strategic thinker, he has led several national sport organizations and each one has achieved record-level performances, on and off the field of play."
MacPherson brings to CGC a quarter century in senior leadership positions in Canadian high performance sport. A former Executive Director at the Federation of Canadian Archers as well as Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada, he also served as Chief Executive Officer for the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC). There, he built successful partnerships and sponsorships that increased CPC revenues by a factor of ten. During his tenure, Canadian teams produced best-ever results in both summer and winter Paralympic Games.
"Joining Commonwealth Games Canada feels like a really good fit," said MacPherson, who officially starts his new position on the first of September. "Along with the high performance sport experience, I've also put together a number of sport development programs for various organizations – all of which helped to boost membership numbers and generate higher levels of awareness. I'm really looking forward to producing some outstanding results working with CGC staff in the International Development through Sport area."
Soldier On is one of the sport development programs that MacPherson spearheaded while running the Canadian Paralympic Committee. It has provided hundreds of disabled veterans of the Afghanistan war with meaningful opportunities to get involved in a variety of sports. A number of these former soldiers are now elite athletes and some are even vying for spots at next year's Paralympic Summer Games in London, England.
"It feels great to be a member of the CGC family, building on its recent successes and moving Commonwealth sport to the next level." says MacPherson.
Building the Commonwealth sport brand will be one of the new CEO's top priorities, along with expanding program offerings, assessing the conditions for a potential bid to host an upcoming Commonwealth Games, and enhancing both the number and quality of strategic partnerships.
MacPherson replaces Thomas Jones whose 6-year tenure included two Commonwealth Games (Melbourne 2006 and Delhi 2010), a Commonwealth Youth Games (Pune, India 2008), and a period of significant growth for CGC's innovative International Development through Sport (IDS) program. Jones stepped down in March to pursue career opportunities in his home province of British Columbia.
According to Dr. Pipe, "Through Tom's leadership, we're headed down a very positive path, and Brian is precisely the right individual to accelerate that progress even further."
CGC's Director of Sport, Scott Stevenson, will serve as Interim CEO until MacPherson steps into the full-time role at the beginning of September.
An avid canoeist, MacPherson and his wife, Sandi, have two teenaged boys who share a passion for sport.
"Brian is a proven leader with an abundance of highly relevant experience," stated Dr. Pipe. "An innovator and strategic thinker, he has led several national sport organizations and each one has achieved record-level performances, on and off the field of play."
MacPherson brings to CGC a quarter century in senior leadership positions in Canadian high performance sport. A former Executive Director at the Federation of Canadian Archers as well as Water Ski and Wakeboard Canada, he also served as Chief Executive Officer for the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC). There, he built successful partnerships and sponsorships that increased CPC revenues by a factor of ten. During his tenure, Canadian teams produced best-ever results in both summer and winter Paralympic Games.
"Joining Commonwealth Games Canada feels like a really good fit," said MacPherson, who officially starts his new position on the first of September. "Along with the high performance sport experience, I've also put together a number of sport development programs for various organizations – all of which helped to boost membership numbers and generate higher levels of awareness. I'm really looking forward to producing some outstanding results working with CGC staff in the International Development through Sport area."
Soldier On is one of the sport development programs that MacPherson spearheaded while running the Canadian Paralympic Committee. It has provided hundreds of disabled veterans of the Afghanistan war with meaningful opportunities to get involved in a variety of sports. A number of these former soldiers are now elite athletes and some are even vying for spots at next year's Paralympic Summer Games in London, England.
"It feels great to be a member of the CGC family, building on its recent successes and moving Commonwealth sport to the next level." says MacPherson.
Building the Commonwealth sport brand will be one of the new CEO's top priorities, along with expanding program offerings, assessing the conditions for a potential bid to host an upcoming Commonwealth Games, and enhancing both the number and quality of strategic partnerships.
MacPherson replaces Thomas Jones whose 6-year tenure included two Commonwealth Games (Melbourne 2006 and Delhi 2010), a Commonwealth Youth Games (Pune, India 2008), and a period of significant growth for CGC's innovative International Development through Sport (IDS) program. Jones stepped down in March to pursue career opportunities in his home province of British Columbia.
According to Dr. Pipe, "Through Tom's leadership, we're headed down a very positive path, and Brian is precisely the right individual to accelerate that progress even further."
CGC's Director of Sport, Scott Stevenson, will serve as Interim CEO until MacPherson steps into the full-time role at the beginning of September.
An avid canoeist, MacPherson and his wife, Sandi, have two teenaged boys who share a passion for sport.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Glasgow 2014 chief executive resigned over free tax advice, it is claimed
The Herald in Glasgow claimed that a third party alerted the board of Glasgow 2014 to the "gift" from the company that forced Scott to leave his £179,000 ($286,000) job on Monday (June 27).
The Organising Committee have a strict policy that employees are not allowed to such any gifts or gratuities above the value of £100 ($145).
PwC have refused to confirm or deny it was the firm at the centre of the affair and Glasgow 2014 also declined to elaborate on the claims.
PwC had a two-year contract with Glasgow 2014 that ended in May, a role that included reviewing the Games' budget.
"Glasgow 2014 has received legal advice which is clear," a spokesman for Glasgow 2014 told The Herald.
"We are not in a position to go into the details of what was a personal matter between an ex-employee and the third party concerned.
"The Organising Committee put out a statement on this situation and has nothing further to add to that statement."
Rosa appointed Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay manager
The Queen's Baton Relay is the curtain raiser to the Games and has been so since Cardiff in 1958, symbolising the gathering of the Commonwealth every four years.
"I am thrilled to join the Glasgow 2014 team and I look forward to the challenge of producing the baton relay," said Rosa, who is an Australian.
"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."
Rosa has been involved in seven major sporting events, including the 2002 and 2010 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and New Delhi, the Beijing 2008 Olympics and the 2006 Turin and 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, as well as the 2006 Asian Games in Doha.
Also a qualified accountant, he brings with him a wealth of event and financial experience accumulated over 15 years.
He has also gained 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".
Friday, July 1, 2011
BBC appointed as host rights broadcaster for Glasgow 2014
Glasgow 2014 has appointed the BBC as the domestic broadcast rights holder for the Commonwealth Games, it was announced today.
The deal includes coverage on BBC One and BBC Two television networks, news coverage across the BBC Radio, including Radio 5 Live and Sports Extra, red button interactive and IPTV servies, the BBC Sport website and international promotion of the Games through BBC World News and the BBC World Service.
In addition, it is expected that the BBC's Nations and Regions sport and news teams for television, radio and online will generate considerable additional interest by focusing on the performance of local competitors in those parts of the British Isles which compete at the Games as separate teams.
"I am delighted that the BBC has taken up the domestic rights for the Commonwealth Games and I believe this deal represents a huge vote of confidence in Glasgow 2014 as well as the Commonwealth Games Movement in general," said Lord Robert Smith, the chairman of Glasgow 2014.
"We anticipate some of the world's highest profile athletes will compete at our Games, fresh from their successes at London 2012.
"The added spice will be seeing the stars of Team GB in their own national colours in Glasgow, just two years later.
"The BBC's reach will help us to generate a huge level of excitement and anticipation in the lead up to the biggest event Scotland will ever have hosted."
The deal will be a relief to Glasgow 2014 organisers who two years ago feared the prospect of being left with a £20 million ($32 million) hole in their budget as a result of a recommendation to drop the Commonwealth Games from Britain's protected list of free-to-air televised sporting events.
The recommendation, included in a report produced by former Football Association chief executive David Davies and commissioned by the previous Labour Government, was later overturned by the new Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson.
Sir_Roger_Bannister_wins_Miracle_Mile_Vancouver_1954It continues the BBC's association with the Commonwealth Games which dates back to 1954, when they were staged in Vancouver and featured the famous "Miracle Mile" when both John Landy and Sir Roger Bannister ran the distance in under four minutes, the first time it had been done.
"BBC Scotland will have a special role at the heart of our coverage in giving the Games extensive exposure in Scotland across our dedicated TV, radio and online services – all of which will make the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games a truly momentous occasion in Scotland," said Ken MacQuarrie, the director of BBC Scotland.
Glasgow officials will be hoping the announcement helps shift attention from the controversy that has surrounded the shock resignation earlier this week of chief executive John Scott, who was forced to step down from his £179,000 ($286,000) per year post after what it was claimed was "an error of judgement" when he accepted a gift from a potential supplier that was above the £100 ($160) limit allowed.
"The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will showcase Scotland to the world and this is another key milestone in the delivery of the Games.," said Shona Robinson, the Minister for the Commonwealth Games and Sport.
"While we urge everyone to come to Scotland and be part of this great event, I am pleased that the award of the domestic rights to the BBC means that most people in the UK will be able to enjoy the spectacle of the Games on free to view television in their homes.
"Income from the sale of broadcasting rights is a welcome contribution to the Games Budget alongside the funds provided by the Scottish Government and its funding partners."
The deal includes coverage on BBC One and BBC Two television networks, news coverage across the BBC Radio, including Radio 5 Live and Sports Extra, red button interactive and IPTV servies, the BBC Sport website and international promotion of the Games through BBC World News and the BBC World Service.
In addition, it is expected that the BBC's Nations and Regions sport and news teams for television, radio and online will generate considerable additional interest by focusing on the performance of local competitors in those parts of the British Isles which compete at the Games as separate teams.
"I am delighted that the BBC has taken up the domestic rights for the Commonwealth Games and I believe this deal represents a huge vote of confidence in Glasgow 2014 as well as the Commonwealth Games Movement in general," said Lord Robert Smith, the chairman of Glasgow 2014.
"We anticipate some of the world's highest profile athletes will compete at our Games, fresh from their successes at London 2012.
"The added spice will be seeing the stars of Team GB in their own national colours in Glasgow, just two years later.
"The BBC's reach will help us to generate a huge level of excitement and anticipation in the lead up to the biggest event Scotland will ever have hosted."
The deal will be a relief to Glasgow 2014 organisers who two years ago feared the prospect of being left with a £20 million ($32 million) hole in their budget as a result of a recommendation to drop the Commonwealth Games from Britain's protected list of free-to-air televised sporting events.
The recommendation, included in a report produced by former Football Association chief executive David Davies and commissioned by the previous Labour Government, was later overturned by the new Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson.
Sir_Roger_Bannister_wins_Miracle_Mile_Vancouver_1954It continues the BBC's association with the Commonwealth Games which dates back to 1954, when they were staged in Vancouver and featured the famous "Miracle Mile" when both John Landy and Sir Roger Bannister ran the distance in under four minutes, the first time it had been done.
"BBC Scotland will have a special role at the heart of our coverage in giving the Games extensive exposure in Scotland across our dedicated TV, radio and online services – all of which will make the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games a truly momentous occasion in Scotland," said Ken MacQuarrie, the director of BBC Scotland.
Glasgow officials will be hoping the announcement helps shift attention from the controversy that has surrounded the shock resignation earlier this week of chief executive John Scott, who was forced to step down from his £179,000 ($286,000) per year post after what it was claimed was "an error of judgement" when he accepted a gift from a potential supplier that was above the £100 ($160) limit allowed.
"The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will showcase Scotland to the world and this is another key milestone in the delivery of the Games.," said Shona Robinson, the Minister for the Commonwealth Games and Sport.
"While we urge everyone to come to Scotland and be part of this great event, I am pleased that the award of the domestic rights to the BBC means that most people in the UK will be able to enjoy the spectacle of the Games on free to view television in their homes.
"Income from the sale of broadcasting rights is a welcome contribution to the Games Budget alongside the funds provided by the Scottish Government and its funding partners."
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