FM salutes Glasgow’s ‘gallus and glittering Games’ 53 Team Scotland medal haul adds to Glasgow’s gold medal performance The First Minister Alex Salmond has today (Sunday, August 3) praised the XX Commonwealth Games as a ‘gold medal performance’ by organisers, athletes and volunteers. As the 11 days of sporting triumph draws to a close, the First Minister said: “From the moment the opening ceremony kicked off, everything about these Games has been a huge credit to Glasgow and Scotland. It has truly been a gallus and glittering Games. “The atmosphere in the city has been electric – everyone has played their part and have given a gold medal performance ensuring the tens of thousands of visitors have been made to feel at home. Even the Scottish weather has done its bit. “Our fantastic athletes have pulled off a record medal haul – smashing previous totals, national records and personal bests. But, we aren’t just celebrating our medal winners; every single member of Team Scotland done us proud. There is no higher honour than to represent your country on a global stage. “And it wasn’t just gold, silver and bronze – there were even two diamonds, with Chris Pritchard and Aileen McGlynn getting engaged to their respective partners. “Of course there was sport, but we cannot forget the part that Glasgow has played in delivering what was the best and friendliest Commonwealth Games ever. Our 15,000 Clyde-siders have exemplified the friendly nature that Scotland is famed for. “I also want to pay credit to the impeccable work of our emergency services and armed forces who have gone beyond the call of duty to ensure a safe environment for athletes, spectators and volunteers alike. We owe them a tremendous gratitude, adding to the spirit of the Games. Such was their enthusiasm for the Games that they all cheered on Chris Sherrington, a Royal Marine Commando in the Royal Navy who took gold in the 100kg judo and Police Scotland community officer PC Darren Burnett who won gold in the bowling singles competition. “None of this happened overnight – it’s the culmination of years of hard work that started in Sri Lanka seven years ago and we have put in an enormous amount of work into making sure we were ready. “We were more than ready – and within budget: an almost unprecedented position for a major event of this type and is testament to the planning, knowledge, expertise and sheer determination that everyone involved in the Games has shown. It shows that we can rise to any challenge when we are given such a great responsibility. “sportscotland has implemented a world-class sporting system in Scotland and, working with our athletes, governing bodies of sport, Commonwealth Games Scotland, and coaches, have delivered outstanding success when the eyes of the world were watching. The Games have left us with many inspiring memories, from the youngest ever medallist for Scotland - 13 year old Erraid Davies to para-sport athletes fully integrated into the Games. Every member of Team Scotland giving their all. “We must now look ahead at how the Games can inspire the next generation to strive for success in whatever they do, be it sport, education or enterprise – that will be the true Games legacy for Scotland.” Commenting on the phenomenal success of Glasgow 2014, Louise Martin CBE, Chair of sportscotland, said: “Glasgow 2014 has been the best ever Commonwealth Games and Team Scotland have shattered the previous best medal haul and the previous best gold medal tally. To win 53 overall medals and 19 gold medals is simply stunning. “Every single athlete on Team Scotland has been an inspiration and the country is so proud of them. The phenomenal success they delivered has been achieved by meticulous preparation and collaboration between partners. Thanks to Scottish Government and National Lottery investment, sportscotland has developed a world-class performance system in Scotland with our athletes, sports, coaches, Team Scotland support staff, and the experts at the sportscotland institute of sport working in partnership to deliver on the global stage. “It is not only performance sport which has benefitted from Glasgow 2014, community sport has also been significantly improved in recent years. We have worked with our partners in local government to provide more and better opportunities for the people of Scotland to take part in sport and physical activity. We currently have 131 Community Sport Hubs operational across all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities with plans for more to come, and we have recently announced a £50 million investment to extend our successful Active Schools Network, which is delivering record levels of extra-curricular participation levels among Scotland’s school pupils. Scotland now has an extremely sophisticated pathway connecting school, club, and performance sport.”
Posted on: Sun, 03 Aug 2014 19:49:17 +0000
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