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Glasgow ready for Commonwealth Games opening ceremony Glasgow ready for Commonwealth Games opening ceremony
(about 1 hour later)
Competing at the Commonwealth Games could provide a breakthrough for young athletes, Sir Chris Hoy has said, as Glasgow prepares for an opening ceremony that Scots believe will recapture the excitement of the curtain-raiser of the London Olympic Games.Competing at the Commonwealth Games could provide a breakthrough for young athletes, Sir Chris Hoy has said, as Glasgow prepares for an opening ceremony that Scots believe will recapture the excitement of the curtain-raiser of the London Olympic Games.
Hoy, whose six cycling golds make him Team GB's most successful Olympian, said part of him wished he was competing, but he realised he was past his best.Hoy, whose six cycling golds make him Team GB's most successful Olympian, said part of him wished he was competing, but he realised he was past his best.
The Queen, as head of the Commonwealth, will attend Wednesday evening's ceremony with the Duke of Edinburgh. Singers Rod Stewart, Susan Boyle and Amy Macdonald will be among those performing in front of a 40,000-strong crowd.The Queen, as head of the Commonwealth, will attend Wednesday evening's ceremony with the Duke of Edinburgh. Singers Rod Stewart, Susan Boyle and Amy Macdonald will be among those performing in front of a 40,000-strong crowd.
Organisers have said ordinary Glaswegians will also be heavily involved, and the ceremony will show people around the world "what we're made of" in Scotland, while celebrating values of unity and diversity.Organisers have said ordinary Glaswegians will also be heavily involved, and the ceremony will show people around the world "what we're made of" in Scotland, while celebrating values of unity and diversity.
"I know I will be very emotional," said Hoy of the opening gala at Celtic Park. "Part of me wishes I was competing, but I knew I was not going to be at my best so it was time to step aside. It was amazing to finish on top in London, I had a fair crack of the whip." "I know I will be very emotional," said Hoy of the opening gala at Celtic Park. "Part of me wishes I was competing, but I knew I was not going to be at my best so it was time to step aside. It was amazing to finish on top in London. I had a fair crack of the whip."
Hoy, who made his breakthrough in Manchester's Commonwealth Games in 2002, sidestepped questions about any political significance of the Games for the Scottish referendum vote on 18 September. "It will be political for the politically minded, but for athletes it will be the last thing on their minds," Hoy told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.Hoy, who made his breakthrough in Manchester's Commonwealth Games in 2002, sidestepped questions about any political significance of the Games for the Scottish referendum vote on 18 September. "It will be political for the politically minded, but for athletes it will be the last thing on their minds," Hoy told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
David Cameron will do his bit to boost the Games. In a speech in Glasgow on Wednesday evening, the prime minister will highlight the £14bn boost to the UK economy from the Olympics, and will say: "Part of our long-term economic plan is about promoting every part of our country to the world, and Glasgow's Commonwealth Games will give us another fantastic platform to do this."David Cameron will do his bit to boost the Games. In a speech in Glasgow on Wednesday evening, the prime minister will highlight the £14bn boost to the UK economy from the Olympics, and will say: "Part of our long-term economic plan is about promoting every part of our country to the world, and Glasgow's Commonwealth Games will give us another fantastic platform to do this."
Michael Cavanagh, Commonwealth Games Scotland chairman, said: "Driving around the city, I can feel it already and the sport hasn't even started yet. I think there's an enormous buzz in Glasgow and that's just going to continue. It's going to be absolutely fantastic and the opening ceremony will be extraordinary and get us off to a terrific start."Michael Cavanagh, Commonwealth Games Scotland chairman, said: "Driving around the city, I can feel it already and the sport hasn't even started yet. I think there's an enormous buzz in Glasgow and that's just going to continue. It's going to be absolutely fantastic and the opening ceremony will be extraordinary and get us off to a terrific start."
Among the athletes competing will be Usain Bolt, David Rudisha and Mo Farah. In all, 29 London Olympic gold medallists are in Glasgow, a dozen of whom will be representing England, which has its best chance of knocking Australia off the top of the medal table for the first time since 1986.Among the athletes competing will be Usain Bolt, David Rudisha and Mo Farah. In all, 29 London Olympic gold medallists are in Glasgow, a dozen of whom will be representing England, which has its best chance of knocking Australia off the top of the medal table for the first time since 1986.
Team Scotland have the chance to get the home crowd going on the first day of action with a number of medal prospects competing, particularly in the Tollcross pool. Michael Jamieson is aiming for a world record in the 200m breaststroke, while 2010 gold medallists Hannah Miley and Robbie Renwick have the opportunity to repeat their feats on the opening day.Team Scotland have the chance to get the home crowd going on the first day of action with a number of medal prospects competing, particularly in the Tollcross pool. Michael Jamieson is aiming for a world record in the 200m breaststroke, while 2010 gold medallists Hannah Miley and Robbie Renwick have the opportunity to repeat their feats on the opening day.
Australian flag-bearer Anna Meares and Sir Bradley Wiggins will be big attractions at the velodrome, where England will have eight Olympic champions.Australian flag-bearer Anna Meares and Sir Bradley Wiggins will be big attractions at the velodrome, where England will have eight Olympic champions.
More than 1m tickets have been sold, although fears of empty seats remain, with plenty of room still left at many venues. Mike Hooper, Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive, said: "The way in which the people of Scotland, Glasgow and the United Kingdom have embraced these Games has been absolutely fantastic. Are we concerned? No. I'm sure we'll have availability up to the events themselves and that's just the reality. But if you compare these Games to Melbourne in 2006, I think they'll compare very, very favourably."More than 1m tickets have been sold, although fears of empty seats remain, with plenty of room still left at many venues. Mike Hooper, Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive, said: "The way in which the people of Scotland, Glasgow and the United Kingdom have embraced these Games has been absolutely fantastic. Are we concerned? No. I'm sure we'll have availability up to the events themselves and that's just the reality. But if you compare these Games to Melbourne in 2006, I think they'll compare very, very favourably."
Wiggins injected a sour note into the hoopla. He complained that Hoy had been "done over" by the corporate branding on the velodrome in Glasgow that bears his name. "I'd be a bit pissed off if I were him, because they've stuck a great big Emirates sign over his name and it doesn't stand out that it's the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome other than a little thing as you walk in," he said. "It's more like a shopping sign with an Emirates thing on it." The airline is the official sponsorship partner of Glasgow 2014.Wiggins injected a sour note into the hoopla. He complained that Hoy had been "done over" by the corporate branding on the velodrome in Glasgow that bears his name. "I'd be a bit pissed off if I were him, because they've stuck a great big Emirates sign over his name and it doesn't stand out that it's the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome other than a little thing as you walk in," he said. "It's more like a shopping sign with an Emirates thing on it." The airline is the official sponsorship partner of Glasgow 2014.
Last week there was a protest over the involvement of Atos as a sponsor of the Games. Atos previously administered fit-for-work tests for sick and disabled people.Last week there was a protest over the involvement of Atos as a sponsor of the Games. Atos previously administered fit-for-work tests for sick and disabled people.