ONE-YEAR COUNTDOWN TO THE GLASGOW 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
ONE-YEAR COUNTDOWN TO THE GLASGOW 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
Largest event ever held in Scotland to host 4,500 athletes from 71 nations competing in 17 sports over 11 days
ottawa – Today marks the one-year countdown to the opening ceremony of the XXth Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow. The Games will take place over eleven days, from July 23rd to August 3rd, 2014. This will be the third time Scotland has hosted the Commonwealth Games, having hosted in Edinburgh in 1970 and in 1986.
“The Commonwealth Games hold a special place in my memories as an athlete, starting with my first Games in Auckland in 1990, to the 2006 Games in Melbourne where I was honoured to carry the Canadian flag into the opening ceremonies,” said Chantal Petitclerc, Chef de Mission of the 2014 Canadian Team. “Athletes and coaches will tell you that the Commonwealth Games are magical games. There is something unique and inexplicable that happens; the atmosphere is fiercely competitive, but still very friendly. Glasgow 2014 will provide lifetime memories and unique experiences for the members of our Canadian Team, and I know from experience that sporting careers will be born, and will soar.”
Canada ‘s Team will be comprised of 220 of the country’s best athletes, with the qualification process taking place from now until April 2014. Canada’s performance projection in 2014 is a top 3 ranking amongst all nations competing. The country finished the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India in 4th place.
"I loved being a member of the Canadian Team at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, and am very proud of my results at these games", said Jennifer Abel (Laval, Qc) three-time Commonwealth medalist and Olympic bronze medalist. "I am training hard to qualify for Glasgow so that I can re-live my Commonwealth adventure once again next year. While the level of competition is very high, what I really appreciate is the wonderful spirit of friendship and joie de vivre that these games offer."
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Coordination Commission visited the host city in April of this year, stating that the Organising Committee was making "very positive progress" following its fourth official inspection visit of the city.
“Our sights are fixed on the finishing line that we all want - which is an outstanding Games experience for athletes, for spectators and for the billion-plus viewers across the Commonwealth who will share in an outstanding celebration of great sport delivered from Glasgow and Scotland to the world”, said Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg. “We are focused, up for the challenge and we look forward to continuing our journey to deliver history-making Games of which Glasgow, Scotland and the Commonwealth can be proud.”
Commonwealth Games Canada President Dr. Andrew Pipe added: “Canada is the birthplace of the Commonwealth Games, having hosted the first ever Games in Hamilton in 1930, which were then known as the British Empire Games. This event continues to play an important role in Canadian sport and I wish Glasgow 2014 well as they embark on this final year of preparing to host the Commonwealth.”
NOTE TO MEDIA WISHING TO COVER THE GAMES
Organizations wishing to reserve office space at the Glasgow 2014 Main Press Centre (MPC) must confirm by July 31, 2013 at pressoperations@glasgow2014.com. The media accreditation process will commence in September, and further details will be communicated to you once the CGC receives the details.
ABOUT COMMONWEALTH GAMES CANADA
Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is the international franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth movement in Canada, and an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community. The mission of CGC is to strengthen sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a development tool. Visit www.commonwealthgames.ca for information.
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For interview requests or additional information:
Sylvie Bigras
Communications Chief
Team Canada - Glasgow 2014
613 298 1625
