During the 60-minute video conference Wednesday with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission, the Glasgow 2018 Youth Olympic Games bid team underlined the key strengths at the heart of its vision – a “Youth Olympic Games that will empower young people around the world to become ‘champions in their own lives'”.
The bid team pledged that the Glasgow 2018 YOG, in partnership with the IOC, will enable the Olympic Movement to capitalize on the momentum of London 2012 and deepen its relationship with young people around the world.
Shona Robison, Scottish Minister for Sport said, “this conference with the IOC Evaluation Commission was an important milestone for Scottish sport, and I believe that Glasgow has risen to the occasion once again. On behalf of the Scottish Government, I want to reiterate our total, unequivocal commitment to delivering on our promise of a Youth Olympic Games that inspires young people in Scotland and around the world to become champions in their own lives”.
IOC Vice President Sir Craig Reedie said, “I would like to offer our thanks for the insight that the IOC Evaluation has offered Glasgow 2018’s candidature. This has been a hugely beneficial experience for the bid team. The feedback we have received throughout this process will make us even better equipped to partner the IOC in realizing the rich and powerful potential of the Youth Olympic Games in 2018”.
He added, “today I think we showed the IOC Evaluation Commission what the world could expect from Glasgow as a YOG host city. In the last twenty years our city has developed into one of Europe’s top cultural cities, a top ten must-see city and top ten World Sports City, and now we are shortlisted for the 2015 European Green Capital. We have proven our ability to stage major events time and again and we continue to surprise the world with the inimitable Glaswegian flavour we give them. We are ready to take the next step with the IOC and push the bar even higher”.
Paul Bush, Glasgow 2018 bid director who chaired the Glasgow 2018 panel said, “I was very proud to be chairing such an accomplished and passionate panel today. We spoke a great deal about the importance of strong partnerships, and the evidence was right there in the room with the senior representatives of every single Glasgow 2018 stakeholder. Our bid brings together national and municipal government, public agencies, the private sector, and the sports community. That collaboration gives Glasgow 2018 the power to deliver world-class venues, open up new opportunities for young people, and inspire them to live healthier more active lives”.
