Glasgow 2014 has said a massive thank you to the city and its people for being the best hosts the Commonwealth could have hoped for.
Over the last 11 days the city has rolled out the carpet to thousands of athletes, officials and visitors and hosted a fun filled festival of sport and culture on a scale that the city has never been seen before.
On the day of the Closing Ceremony, (Sunday 3 August), organisers of the Games showed their gratitude to everyone who has played their part in making these Games a success from the clyde-siders, the Host City volunteers, Police Scotland and all the workers who kept the city going.
But most thanks went to the people of Glasgow who welcomed the Commonwealth to their city.
It was a Games which saw more than 140 Commonwealth records broken as elite athletes from 71 nations and territories competed for Games glory.
The Home Nations triumphed in front of ecstatic crowds who raised the roof in packed venues across 11 days. Glasgow’s glorious Games, the largest sporting event in the city’s history saw:
- nearly 3.5 million people passed through Central Station
- over 50,000 cuddly Clyde Mascots sold out
- 171,000 attended the Rugby Sevens – a record-breaking number for the sport
- Well over a million people visited the Glasgow 2014 website per day
- Over half a million people visited the Live Site at Glasgow Green
- Well over a million mentions of Glasgow 2014 on social networks since the Opening
Ceremony
- 15,000 Clyde-siders volunteered at the Games
- Over 1,500 paid staff working at the Organising Committee
- 30,000 contractors
- 1,800 Host City Volunteers
- 1.2 million tickets sold
- An estimated 100 tonnes of fruit and vegetables
Lord Smith of Kelvin, KT, Chair of Glasgow 2014, said:
“Glasgow’s connections with the Commonwealth are centuries old and they run deep. They tell a story of industry and enterprise on a global scale. These connections have been strengthened. And whilst the Games may leave Glasgow, Glasgow will never forget the Commonwealth Games. It has made its mark on our city. It has won a place in our hearts.
“This is a city that dares to dream. A city defined by its people. A city which looks out for each other. A welcoming city that has undergone an experience that it – actually WE – will never forget.
“I would like to thank the athletes for their performances, for reaching new heights, for their courage, determination and triumph and for uniting us as friends and as fans.
“Thank you also to all the clyde-siders. They have been the lifeblood of the Games. In the heat and in the rain they have never stopped smiling and helping the thousands of visitors that have now become friends.
“This has all been made possible thanks to a huge team effort from my team at the Organising Committee – what a monumental job they have all done, to the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Commonwealth Games Scotland.
David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014 said:
“This really is a day for thank yous.
“A massive thank you goes to the people of Glasgow who embraced the Games and welcomed all athletes and visitors with sensational support, smiles and… selfies. For bringing the house down in all the venues with their deafening levels of support.
“Our 15,000 clyde-siders: who put the ‘friendly’ into the friendly Games.
“The hundreds and thousands of people across Scotland who gave the batonbearers in their towns and communities a moment to remember and showed that Scotland has the best supporters in the world
“To the whole team, the Organising Committee who has always believed these Games are important to Glasgow. The army of supporters, sponsors, Games Partners, Commonwealth Games Associations and sports federations and officials around the world who have helped deliver an athlete centred, sport focused Games that we can all be proud of.
“And, of course the athletes. From the moment they danced into Celtic Park for the Opening Ceremony they have captured our imagination and our hearts. Every day they have inspired us by breaking records and striving to go beyond their personal best.
“I also want to thank the media for taking these inspirational stories and the images of Glasgow around the world.”
Mike Hooper, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation said:
“Yesterday, the rain came down, but the spirit of these Games endured.
“Each medallist who returns to their community will get a heroes welcome, and encourage others to have a go – to pursue their dreams.
“This is one of the most powerful elements of sport – the ability to inspire our youth – and we have seen fantastic role models in action across these 11 days in Glasgow.
With 52 medals, Scotland has at least doubled its tally from Delhi. To finish fourth overall on the medals tally is a great outcome for our hosts.
I have no doubt that these have been great Games, and, in my view, are the stand out Games in the history of the movement.”