Glasgow goes for gold with £200m bid for 2018 Youth Olympic Games

Jun 20 2012

Glasgow Youth Olympics Image 2

SPORTING heroine Dame Kelly Holmes has helped Glasgow launch its bid to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

Children from schools across the city joined the double Olympic gold medallist and council leader Gordon Matheson for a range of sporting and cultural performances at Kelvingrove Museum.

Organisers say Glasgow is the best city to host the 2018 YOG thanks to the legacy which will be left from 2014’s Commonwealth Games – and because their bid will be led by young people themselves.

They have already undertaken extensive consultation with youngsters, including taking advice on the design of the bid’s logo.

The price of hosting the YOGs is estimated to be £200million, despite plans to use 2014 Commonwealth Games infrastructure.

It would be spread between Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Executive, lottery funding and sponsorship from private companies.

Bid bosses say they have arrived at the figure of £200million by examining the costs of the 2010 Singapore YOG and the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Matheson defended the decision to commit to spending such a large sum in tough economic times.

He said: “When times are tough you have to invest in the future, that’s what the Youth Olympics are about.

“Glasgow is already known the world over as a great sporting city because of our proud track record of hosting
international events and investing in world-class sports infrastructure.

“Hosting the 2018 Youth Olympic
Games would be a new success story for our city and one that we are determined to capitalise on.”

Glasgow will be competing with Buenos Aires, Rotterdam and Poznan and the decision will be announced next summer.

Dame Kelly said: “A Youth Olympics here would be an incredible way to kick-start the careers of the next generation of young athletes.

“They have got world-class facilities, a great history of hosting top sports events and some of the most passionate fans on the planet.”

Politicians from across party divides have rallied together to support the bid.

Graeme Hendry, SNP leader of the opposition, said: “Working across parties in the council demonstrates the strength of the council’s commitment to this bid.  

“We will work with colleagues to ensure the best outcome for Glasgow.”

The first Youth Games was held in Singapore in 2010 and the 2014 event will be in Nanjing, China.