Dramatic imagery from some of Scotland’s most famous views took on a quirky ONE-off look to celebrate today’s (Tuesday July 23) historic ‘One Year to Go’ milestone for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
From the bleak beauty of Glen Etive (which provided the memorable backdrop to the last Bond movie, Skyfall) to the breathtaking elegance of the Edinburgh skyline, the message that Glasgow and Scotland are counting down to the biggest sporting occasion in the nation’s history was writ large in the landscape – with a 16ft inflatable number one.
A series of nine portraits were commissioned by Glasgow 2014, each capturing a different aspect of the home nation for next summer’s Commonwealth Games – from its natural beauty, historic landmarks, iconic sporting fields of play or its connections with the Games themselves.
The images will be shared across 71 nations and territories as Commonwealth Games Associations from Tuvalu to Tanzania to mark the date in exactly one year’s time on which a spectacular Opening Ceremony will officially launch the start of a great sporting occasion for 4,500 of the world’s top athletes.
In Glasgow today (July 23) the major milestone is set to be marked in celebratory style with a series of magical and fun moments involving top athletes, thousands of people across the city and the nation and led by Glasgow 2014 Ambassador and six-time Olympian and double Commonwealth Gold medal winner, Sir Chris Hoy.
Sir Chris is set to start the day by hosting a people’s bike challenge and a Breakfast of Champions in the middle of the city’s main shopping zone, Buchanan Street. Glasgow 2014’s cheeky mascot Clyde will also take to the streets to join dancers, musicians and street performers in showcasing how vibrant the city will feel at Games time.
At the heart of the day’s action will be the unveiling of the Glasgow 2014 Official Ticketing Guide – the route to up to one million seats at the heart of the Games live action, across 17 sports. The Ticketing Guide, featuring stunning athletic imagery from across the sports programme sets out full details of how everyone can be part of an accessible and affordable Commonwealth Games.
Ticket prices start at £15 for all sports, with half-price tickets for under-16s and over -60s. Two thirds of all sports tickets are £25 or under and there are no booking fees for any tickets. The ticket price also includes public transport in the local area on the day of the sports session.
Commenting on the milestone moment Lord Smith of Kelvin, Chairman of Glasgow 2014, said:
“Today marks an important moment in the journey towards the biggest sporting and cultural festival Glasgow and Scotland has ever hosted.
“With one year to go, the Organising Committee is making great strides towards our ultimate goal of delivering an outstanding Games for the athletes of the Commonwealth.
“I’m delighted to see how the city and the nation are getting set to welcome the world to enjoy our landscape, our friendship and truly great international sport.”
Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland said:
“Just as these wonderful images show off some of the most iconic parts of Scotland, athletes across the length and breadth of the country are training hard and competing to the best of their ability, to secure their place on Team Scotland and realise their dream of competing in a home Commonwealth Games.
“In exactly one year’s time Team Scotland’s athletes will be ready to go up against the best in the Commonwealth and make their mark at the biggest international sporting event to come to these shores. We urge the public to support them in their quest for success at Glasgow 2014.”
Shona Robison, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, said:
“A great deal of hard work has been invested since Glasgow was announced as the 2014 host city. Over the next 12 months, the pride and excitement of hosting these Games will continue to grow as the venues and village are made ready and our volunteers are trained.
“People across Scotland, and the world, will now start planning their journey to witness the biggest international sporting event our country has ever hosted. As these iconic images show, Scotland has a great deal to offer our welcome visitors.”
Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council said
“The milestone of One Year To Go until the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games means an even greater level of anticipation as we all get ready for the greatest event o be staged in the city. Like so many others, I am really looking forward to welcoming many of the world’s greatest athletes to the city next summer, as well as the huge number of visitors who will come to see the Games.
“The work by the council and our partners to prepare for the Games has gone exceptionally well so far and I am confident that we will host the best Games ever held. The preparations for 2014 have already left a legacy for Glasgow in so many ways and I am sure we will look back on an unforgettable event that transformed not just Glasgow but how the city is seen by the world.”
Mike Hooper, Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Executive said:
“One Year to Go is a significant milestone for every Commonwealth Games and, while Glasgow will be the centre of the celebrations, it is an occasion that will be marked across the 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth as anticipation levels build ahead of the Games next summer.”
Note to Editors
- The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving 71 teams of
athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years. Glasgow 2014 will be the XX Commonwealth Games and will be held from 23 July to 3 August. It will feature 17 sports in 11 days of competition with 261 medal events on show. The Games will play host to 4500 athletes and sell 1,000,000 tickets with the event aided by an army of 15,000 volunteers. Glasgow 2014 Ltd is the official name for the Organising Committee tasked with delivering the Games in partnership with the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Commonwealth Games Scotland.
- Glasgow 2014 family of official sponsors is Longines, SSE, Emirates, Virgin Media, BP, Harper
Macleod, Search Consultancy, Ernst & Young, Atos, Dell, Toshiba TEC, A.G. Barr, NVT Group, Cisco, RGS, Trespass, Riedel, and Ticketmaster
- The Glasgow 2014 Number One Image Collection features:
- The Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews
- The shoreline of Carnoustie – Angus will host Glasgow 2014’s Shooting Competition at nearby Barry Buddon
- The skyline of Edinburgh from Calton Hill – the city will host Glasgow 2014’s Diving Competition at the Royal Commonwealth Pool
- The Forth Rail Bridge
- Ben Lomond from the shores of Loch Lomond
- Glen Etive in the Highlands
- Glasgow’s Clyde Auditorium, the SSE Hydro and the Finneston Crane
- The RRS Discovery in Dundee
- Stirling Castle
- Glasgow 2014, the Commonwealth Games Federation and UNICEF are working together in an exciting partnership that will transform the lives of children in Scotland and throughout the Commonwealth. Using the power of sport and culture this unique partnership aims to inspire, enable and empower the children of the Commonwealth to be the best they can be.
- For further information please contact matthew.williams@glasgow2014.com or on 030 2014 0133