Team SA is hoping to make a historic impact at Glasgow 2014.
“As a nation, we are proud that on the five occasions that South Africa has competed to the Commonwealth Games since democracy, the medal tally has been very impressive,” said Tubby Reddy CEO of South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).
“The 2014 Commonwealth Games are no exception; we hope to win more medals as our athletes compete with the spirit of Tata Madiba in mind, that of a winning nation and empowering themselves through sport.”
2014 is a big year for Glasgow and also for South Africa, which is celebrating 20 years since the end of apartheid and its return to the Commonwealth Games in 1994.
South Africa competed at 11 of the 19 Commonwealth Games, from the original Games in 1930 to 1958. South Africa then withdrew from the British Commonwealth because of apartheid, but was later re-admitted and participated in the Games in 1994 – the year of Nelson Mandela’s election.
“We would like firstly to take part in the Commonwealth Games,” Mandela said shortly after his inauguration, and Team SA did indeed attend the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games and each edition thereafter.
“All credit goes to the late Madiba’s uniting spirit who believed sports can unite the world and redefine a country’s international image,” said SASCOC in a statement. “Sport’s power to change lives and move nations is often overstated and whilst imprisoned, Madiba supported international sports.”
Freedom of Glasgow
Nelson Mandela had a strong connection with Glasgow. In 1981, during his long period of imprisonment, Glasgow Council awarded Mandela the Freedom of the City. Some years after his release Mandela travelled to Glasgow to thank the city, saying “While we were physically denied our freedom in the country of our birth, a city 6,000 miles away, and as renowned as Glasgow, refused to accept the legitimacy of the apartheid system, and declared us to be free.”
Speaking to HOST CITY on Friday, Glasgow’s Lord Provost Sadie Docherty said: “Glasgow is extremely proud to be part of the Nelson Mandela story. We were proud to be the first city in the world to honour him with a Freedom of the City award Nelson Mandela was a true political and moral icon. His lifelong quest to bring freedom, justice and equality to the people of South Africa cost him his own freedom for many years. The participation of the South African team in the Commonwealth Games is part of his legacy and I have no doubt the South African team will want to dedicate their performance to his memory.”
The Commonwealth Games South Africa Chef De Mission, Patience Shikwambana attended the Chef De Mission Seminar in Glasgow from 28 January – 01 February. “The Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) is on track in their preparations for the Games. We visited some of the training facilities and competition venue facilities and they are of world class standard and it’s pleasing to note that our athletes should be happy to participate in such top of the range facilities.”
Tag: GLASGOW
-
Mandela’s spirit to drive athletes at Glasgow 2014
-
Arena Group reveals scope of Glasgow 2014 overlay works
The official Overlay and Temporary Structures Provider to Glasgow 2014 has revealed that it is working closely with the Organising Committee to design and install more than 230 structures covering an area exceeding 20,800 m2.
As Glasgow 2014’s Exclusive Temporary Seating Provider, the Arena Seating team has been tasked with delivering every single temporary seat at the Games, around 22,000 in total across 10 venues. The seating team will also be installing camera platforms, wheelchair access platforms, press positions and commentator platforms.
Dave Withey, sales and marketing director, Arena UK & Europe, said “We’ve been collaborating closely with the Glasgow 2014 overlay team to design temporary solutions which make the most of each venue, providing the space and infrastructure they require, without permanent construction.”
The temporary infrastructure project that will be finished first is the official merchandise shop in a Glasgow City Centre location. Arena Group will start building this at the beginning of June.
At the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Arena Group will be supplementing the existing 2,000 seats within the venue with an additional 1,700. Arena Group will face the challenge of creating perfect sight lines for a challenging sloped field of play, using its trademark “clearview” system.
Contours will also be a challenge at the new Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike Trails venue, where Arena Group will be providing VIP seating at the finish line and structures for athletes, officials and security, all designed to fit against the slopes of Cathkin Braes and provide stunning views of the city.
The clearview system will also be deployed at the Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls Centre, where Arena Group will create a temporary seating stadium and Arena Structures will provide the press, sponsor, security and doping tents.
At the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre Precinct (SECC) Arena Group will work with the venue and Glasgow 2014 supplying the seats for Gymnastics, Boxing, Judo, Netball, Wrestling and Weightlifting/Powerlifting.
On the East coast, Arena Group is solely responsible for all temporary seating and structures at the Barry Buddon Shooting Range. Edinburgh’s Royal Commonwealth Pool, built for the 1970 Commonwealth Games, will be kitted out with structures for the security, athletes and officials.
Scotstoun Sports Campus will host both the Squash and Table Tennis competitions, with Arena Group providing structures to the venue and seating stands for the table tennis and existing squash courts.
Arena Group will also create temporary grandstands across three courts at the new Glasgow National Hockey Centre and provide grandstands and all supporting tentage for the triathlon events at Strathclyde Loch.
For Glasgow’s Tollcross Swimming Pool, Arena Group has created a bespoke temporary seating system carefully designed to the fit the confines of the venue’s mezzanine level.
“We have a strong legacy of working within the city and neighbouring Edinburgh, and know many of the venues extremely well, such as the SECC where we have a relationship spanning over 20 years. This knowledge and experience has been extremely useful, enabling us to deliver designs quickly and to spec,” said Withey.
“These designs are now almost finalised and we’re looking forward to being back in Glasgow to start the installation. We’re one step closer to helping deliver one of the best Commonwealth Games in history.”
-
Glasgow 2014 excludes Red Road demolition from ceremony
Glasgow 2014 has taken the decision to exclude the demolition of Red Road flats from the opening ceremony, concerned that public opposition might spark security incidents.
Having announced less than two weeks ago that Red Road flats would be demolished as part of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2014 has abandoned the plans in the face of widespread strong feelings of opposition.
Opposition to the proposal was led by former parliamentarian Carolyn Leckie, whose online petition gathered 17,240 signatures. On hearing the news, she tweeted “huge respect to decision makers prepared to change their mind. That’s the kind of democracy I want to live in.”
The organising committee was due to meet with Leckie early this week to discuss the proposals, with the intention of standing by its bold plan. On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Glasgow 2014 told Host City: “Glasgow 2014 and Games Partners remain committed to ensuring the important story of Red Road is part of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.
“We want the story of Glasgow and Scotland to be real and authentic and reflecting the lives and history of communities such as Red Road, especially at such an important point in their regeneration.”
“We recognise the passion people feel for Glasgow and respect the wide range of views being expressed on how the city is represented in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games.”
On Thursday, David Grevemberg wrote to Host City readers confirming his support for the plans. “Bringing the Red Road story into the opening ceremony was opportunity to commemorate an important part of Glasgow’s social history in a unique and powerful way,” he wrote.
“There is no doubt the decision to include it in the opening ceremony is new territory. It is reflective of an opening ceremony designed to celebrate Glasgow’s authenticity, passion and ambition.”
However, in the interests of public safety, the organising committee decided to back down over the weekend. In a statement, David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014 said: “We made it clear from the outset the absolute priority was safety and that this event would only happen during the opening ceremony if it was safe to do so.
“Over the past few days it has become clear that opinions have been expressed which change the safety and security context. Glasgow 2014, Games Partners and key stakeholders, including Police Scotland and Glasgow Housing Association, are not prepared to allow what was proposed to be a positive act of commemoration to create risk for all concerned, including the communities of north east Glasgow.”
The opening ceremony will still reflect the regeneration of Glasgow, with a renewed emaphasis on public engagement. A spokesperson for Glasgow 2014 told Host City: “We are working to ensure plans for the ceremonies are properly represented and we are reviewing how we can best engage with people on this issue.
“The ceremonies create a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share positive aspects of city and national life with a global audience. Over coming weeks we look forward to sharing further details of the variety of different stories our Ceremonies will tell.”
-
Glasgow 2014’s new running track revealed
Glasgow 2014 has marked the milestone of 100 days to go until the start of the Commonwealth Games by painting a giant “100” on the pitch of Hampden Park stadium.
Scotland’s national football stadium is in the process of being transformed into an athletics venue for the duration of the Games. Arial footage released today shows that the venue’s transformation is virtually complete.
To attain the width required for the track and field events, as specified by IAAF standards, the ground had to be raised by almost 1.9m using a revolutionary technique. A deck weighing over 1,000 tonnes was made using 6,000 steel posts and 1,200 panels. A further 16,000 tonnes of stone, tar and rubber are now being placed on top of the deck.
Hampden will be the centrepiece of the Games, with more than a thousand athletes competing in more than 48 events in seven days of competition. The venue will also host the closing ceremony, when Glasgow 2014 will hand the Commonwealth flag over to the Gold Coast, hosts of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The new aerial shot also shows Lesser Hampden, which has had a new pavilion built to provide athletes with warm-up facilities.
“It is now just 100 days to go until the start of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, the biggest sporting and cultural festival Scotland has ever hosted and the UK’s next big sporting occasion,” said Lord Smith of Kelvin, KT, Chairman of Glasgow 2014.
“We are entering the home straight now and these last 100 days are our opportunity to do the final work necessary to ensure that we deliver an outstanding Games for Glasgow, Scotland and the Commonwealth.”
Glasgow 2014, the XX Commonwealth Games, takes place from 23 July to 3 August when 4500 athletes will compete in 17 sports, with 1,000,000 tickets on sale. To find out more, read the exclusive interview with Chief Executive David Grevemberg in the next issue of HOST CITY magazine.
-
Glasgow 2014 awards £1m of contracts to supported businesses
Scottish supported businesses, which employ people with disabilities, have been awarded five contracts valuing £1m (US$1.7bn) to help prepare for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Glasgow-based RSBi will provide a logistics workforce and handle materials for the Athletes’ Village. RSBi have also been awarded a contract for a specialist package including supply, installation and removal of curtains and blinds in the residential accommodation of athletes and team officials.
Dovetail will provide 7,500 single size mattress protectors while Haven will supply around 17,000 laundry bags for the Village. North Lanarkshire Industries (previously known as Beltane) will distribute baton-bearer uniforms for the domestic sector of the Queen’s Baton Relay, as well as being contracted to provide 7,500 pillows for the Athletes’ Village.
The supported business sector in Scotland provides employment to people with disabilities and a potential pathway into the open labour market. It employs around 1,000 people and generates a turnover of more than £32m (US$54m)per annum.
“The £1 million boost to Scottish supported businesses – on top of the 73 per cent of Games related contracts already secured by Scottish companies – is a perfect example of Scotland’s success in competing on the world stage,” said Fergus Ewing Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism.
“By helping people with disabilities to maintain and improve their overall independence and wellbeing, this announcement also reflects the crucial role supported businesses have in building a healthier and fairer Scotland.”
According to Paul Carey, Glasgow City Council’s convener of the regeneration and the economy policy development committee, Glasgow businesses and organisations have won more than £180million of Games-related contracts so far. “This is a tremendous economic legacy for the city,” he said. -
Glasgow 2014 to spread ticketing pressure with phased system
Tickets for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will go back on sale on at 10 AM on Wednesday 21 May, the organising committee has announced.
The website crashed shortly after opening on Monday after a rush for remaining tickets for the Games. The site will now be reopened on Wednesday, with tickets being made available for different events over the course of three days as part of a “phased approach”.
With sports fans eager to grasp the remaining 50,000 or so tickets that remain, the organising committee has also introduced free postage and a freephone ticketing hotline to help relieve pressure on the website.
“While we sold more than 60,000 tickets through our ticketing website and hotline last week and saw the most incredible support and enthusiasm from the public, the experience of purchasing tickets was frustrating and unacceptable for some people,” said David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014.
“Over the past few days we’ve been working with our Official Ticketing Agent Ticketmaster with the aim of re-establishing a positive ticketing sales experience for the many thousands of people who want to be part of the Games.”
It is hoped that spreading sales over a number of days and platforms will help manage demand on the website.
The organising committee will announce which sports will be released for sale on which days early next week.
From Wednesday at 10 AM, customers will be able to buy from an initial batch of sports and Ceremonies, the organising committee said in a statement. Further tickets for further events will be available on Thursday and by Friday all remaining tickets will be on public sale. “With additional measures in place aimed at managing demand and the addition of free postage on all orders and a Freephone Ticketing Hotline, we aim to get back to the business of ensuring remaining tickets are sold and that thousands more people can begin to look forward to experiencing the excitement of the Games,” said Grevemberg.
Ticketmaster – Glasgow 2014’s Official Ticketing Agent – has been investigating and testing the performance issues experienced since the closure of the online ticketing sales platform.
Chris Edmonds, Chairman Ticketmaster UK said: “Our team has been working tirelessly to review, analyse and rectify the issues that were experienced on the site. Our priority remains to ensure that customers have the best possible experience when securing their tickets for the Games.” -
Glasgow 2014 ready to host Triathlon test
Environmental and infrastructure work at Strathclyde Loch, the host venue of the Commonwealth Games Triathlon event, has progressed to the point where Games organisers have announced that it will be ready to test on May 24th.
Glasgow 2014 is preparing the loch to comply with the standards set by the International Triathlon Union. The loch has in the past suffered from high levels of blue-green algae.
To prevent algae blooms from happening during the 2014 Commonwealth Games, a designated swim area has been created, separated from the main loch using a series of engineered physical barriers.
The separated area of water was then treated with Phoslock, a non-toxic phosphorous reducing chemical. This chemical treatment was also used to prepare the Serpentine Loch for the London 2012 Olympic Games Triathlon and Marathon Swim competitions.
In addition to the ongoing water treatment works, roads, paths and venue infrastructure are being upgraded to maintain Strathclyde Park’s status as one of Scotland’s premier watersports centres and a proven world-class Triathlon venue.
“I am truly excited at the prospect of world-class athletes striving for Gold and glory during the Games, which was the driving force for all the work done,” said Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive David Grevemberg.
“We are grateful to all our Partners and stakeholders, including the Scottish Government and North Lanarkshire Council, during a combined effort from all parties to prepare the Loch to international standards.
A company called Sniffer has played a major role in the works. “Sniffer has worked with all the partners to facilitate a practical and cost-effective approach to preparing the loch and wider area for the triathlon events within a tight timeframe,” said Ruth Wolstenholme, Managing Director Sniffer.
“We are very pleased with the progress and are confident that the events will be a great credit to Strathclyde Park and those who have worked to ensure their success.”
The Invitational Triathlon takes place at Strathclyde Country Park on Saturday 24 May. “The event will provide an opportunity to validate our Games Time policies and procedures to ensure we are in a position to deliver the best competition experience during the Glasgow 2014 Triathlon event,” said the Organsing Committee, which is hosting the test event.
During the Games, the Triathlon takes place on July 24 and July 26, with three medal events including the new Mixed Team Relay making its Commonwealth Games debut.
More than 100,000 extra tickets across all 17 sports, including Triathlon as well as both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, will be available from 10 AM on Monday 12 May on a first-come, first-served basis.
-
INTERVIEW: The history maker
HOST CITY: Which areas of preparation will require the greatest focus and dedication in the final two months before the Games?
David Grevemberg: The final areas are security and transport. You want people to have an absolutely safe time; you want things to be secure and people to really be able to trust that. It’s the same with transport: you want reliability, accessibility and making sure people are connected and able to get where they need to.
There are so many great learnings from London 2012, like good contract management when it comes to security in particular. What we’ve done is to diversify in terms of private contracting and stewarding: we have put together several lots on a site-specific basis. This requires good contract management but gives us better resilience.
HOST CITY: What impact do you think hosting the Games will have on the perceptions of Glasgow?
David Grevemberg: Glasgow has seen a reputation and recognition enhancement over the last 10 years of pursuing the Games.
It has garnered more recognition in terms of tourism, entertainment and sport, because of the number of events that are being awarded to Glasgow. Great examples beyond 2014 are the World Gymnastics Championships and the IPC Swimming World Championships. All these are testament to Glasgow being recognised as a place where great sport lives.
This is a huge confidence boost. We are raising the bar; we win together and we deliver – that’s going to make the history that Glasgow wants.
HOST CITY: What do you think Glasgow 2014 will contribute to the Commonwealth itself?
David Grevemberg: We’ve asked people what the Commonwealth means to them and they’ve said that the leadership of the Commonwealth is something that is admirable and inspiring: people like Her Majesty, Ghandi and Mandela.
We’ve also been incredibly provocative in challenging the Commonwealth, understanding the good the bad and the ugly: the tremendous industrial renaissance, but also some of the more uncomfortable connections that we have, such as empire, colonialism and slavery.
This has been a great occasion for a refreshed conversation about the modern Commonwealth. These values of peace, prosperity, democracy, humanity, equality and destiny are all at the heart of the Commonwealth secretariat.
Our focus is about looking at the citizens of the Commonwealth and truly empowering young people in a way that has not been done before. Whether that is offering the opportunity for young children to create our mascot or our tartan, or allowing 16-year olds to become volunteers – that has been seldom done at an event of this level.
What do you think the future holds for the Commonwealth Games?
David Grevemberg: There are very different markets right now in terms of hosting the events. You have emerging markets and regenerative markets, and some are a bit of a combination. Both have different opportunities and challenges, and it’s making sure that fits right for your event and your rights, as a rights owner.
One of the biggest challenges is to continue to make sure that the Games represent quality, quantity and universality. As the Commonwealth Games Federation moves forwards and future hosts come down, it’s about really making sure that the Games can manage all of that and perpetuate itself further by ensuring that it is continually relevant.
Do you have any plans or hopes for your own next moves after the Games?
David Grevemberg: My main focus right now is to deliver a fantastic Games. I have enjoyed the opportunity to deliver on ambition, particularly at a very anxious time in the world – to be part of something that is so ambitious and so positive.
I’ve learned quite a lot that’s going to really benefit me moving forward, in whatever roles I take on next, because it’s really given me a sense of what is possible when you get all the plans to align, in terms of the private, public and third sector.
When you look at sporting events not only as multinational events but also “multi-rational” events, with multiple rationales for why you are doing this, you are not just having an event that goes from city to city and becomes very nationalistic.
Beyond all that, we are a force for social, cultural, environmental and economic impact, from a local to a global level. All those things play into a broader agenda, which is where I think the world of sport is heading.
For the full interview with David Grevemberg, please read the current issue of HOST CITY magazine -
Mondo becomes Glasgow 2014 sponsor
The Organising Committee for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games announced the appointment of Mondo as the Official Provider of athletic track surface on Wednesday – after the company had already supplied the material for the athletics track surface.
“Not only has Mondo provided the track surface but they are now part of the Glasgow 2014 sponsor family,” a spokesperson for Glasgow 2014 told HOST CITY.
Mondo is also providing specialist sports equipment for the field of play. “As a sponsor, Mondo has been granted exclusive rights to market and associate itself as a sponsor of the Games in connection with athletics sports equipment and track surface manufacture,” the spokesperson said.
Glasgow 2014 declined to comment on the financial terms of the sponsorship or to what extent the value of the sponsorship will offset the cost of laying the track, saying “We cannot comment on the financial arrangements of any sponsorship contracts as this is commercially-sensitive information.”
The running track is the top layer of the major transformation that Hampden Park, Scotland’s national football stadium has undergone to become Glasgow 2014’s athletics venue.
A revolutionary solution has raised the stadium surface by almost two metres, gaining the width and length required for the athletics track. The track has been laid in sections, laying 20 sq m rolls one at a time. Around 14,000 sq m of pre-fabricated and pre-tested Mondo material has been laid inside Hampden Park.
Maurizio Stroppiana, Sport&Flooring General Manager at Mondo said “Glasgow has created a venue that is not only an engineering feat but a world-class example of environmental and social responsibility. Mondo is proud to be part of this achievement.”
A further 6,000sqm has been installed at Lesser Hampden, which will be the main warm-up area for athletes prior to competition.
Mondo supplied athletics track surfaces for the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
David Grevemberg, Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, said “The solution we’re implementing to transform Scotland’s National Stadium is a world-first on such a scale and it’s great to have the quality of track material supplied by Mondo providing a first-class platform for the best athletes of the Commonwealth to shine.”
-
Commonwealth Games Federation appoints Glasgow 2014 chief Grevemberg as new CEO
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has appointed David Grevemberg, the chief executive of the Glasgow 2014 organising committee, as its chief executive.
Grevemberg will take up the new position in November. Commenting on his appointment in a statement from the CGF, Grevemberg said: “It will be an honour and privilege to lead the Commonwealth sports movement on the next stage of its journey.
“This is a time of tremendous opportunity for the Commonwealth in which sport has an impactful role to play in empowering, inspiring and connecting nations and people in shared purpose.”
Grevemberg appointment was foreshadowed by exclusive comments he made in the cover story of the spring issue of HOST CITY magazine. “One of the biggest challenges is to continue to make sure that the Games represent quality, quantity and universality,” he told HOST CITY in April, when asked about the future of the Games.
“As the Commonwealth Games Federation moves forwards and future hosts come down, it’s about really making sure that the Games can manage all of that and perpetuate itself further by ensuring that it is continually relevant. That will be essential for its success.”
“Ambitious and positive”
In addition to his experience of delivering the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the 41-year old Grevemberg has worked for a major event owner, as executive director of sport and international federation relations at the International Paralympic Committee.
“I’ve spent a very long and rewarding time in the Paralympic sport movement,” Grevemberg told HOST CITY in April, when asked about his future plans. “And now to be on the other side of the fence in such a leadership role is really an honour and a privilege.
“My main focus right now is to deliver a fantastic Games. I have enjoyed the opportunity to deliver on ambition, particularly at a very anxious time in the world – to be part of something that is so ambitious and so positive.
“I’ve learned quite a lot that’s going to really benefit me moving forward… it’s really given me a sense of what is possible when you get all the plans to align, in terms of the private, public and third sector. While we are all playing different instruments, the symphony sounds beautiful. It’s not just about alignment; it’s really about attunement.
“We are a force for social, cultural, environmental and economic impact, from a local to a global level. All those things play into a broader agenda, which is where I think the world of sport is heading.”
The appointment, which will not surprise HOST CITY readers, was confirmed on June 5th. The president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, HRH Prince Imran, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have a sports leader of David’s calibre join us at this important time for the Commonwealth sports movement.
“He has an excellent track record for delivery and shows a real ambition for harnessing the power of sport within the Commonwealth. We look forward very much to the energy, vision and commitment he will bring to the Federation.”
In the statement from the CGF, Grevemberg added. “I look forward to working with HRH Prince Imran, the Executive Board and the whole Commonwealth Games family – in particular Samoa and Gold Coast, hosts of the next Commonwealth Youth Games and Commonwealth Games.
“I’d also like to pay tribute to Mike Hooper for the commitment he has shown to Commonwealth sport over the past 14 years as the CGF’s Chief Executive.”