Lanarkshire to stage 2011 International Children's Games

Jul 16 2008 by Gordon Robertson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

THE team behind the bid to bring the 2011 International Children’s Games (ICG) to Lanarkshire were jumping as high as the famous Golden Gate Bridge when it was announced in San Francisco last week that they had won the right to host the prestigious sporting event.

North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire councils came together to persuade the 25-strong ICG committee that they had the perfect location to host what has been dubbed the Mini Olympics.

The joint bid - which cost £2 million - was backed by First Minister Alex Salmond who told the committee that the whole of Scotland was behind Lanarkshire..

A four-man team of Lord Lieutenant Gilbert Cox, North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim McCabe, South Lanarkshire Council depute leader Michael McCann and New Lanarkshire Limited chairman Ian Livingstone (who led the delegation and delivered the main presentation) made a strong case - and it did the trick.

They made a 25-minute presentation which included a message from Mr Salmond in a high-tech film which also featured BBC sports presenter Hazel Irvine, Olympic Gold Medal cyclist Chris Hoy, swimmer Douglas Scott and music duo The Proclaimers.

The film, which showcased Lanarkshire, also featured a number of the young Lanarkshire athletes who are taking part at this year’s San Francisco games.

The ICG Committee made a unanimous decision last Thursday night after ruling out rivals such as Singapore and Daegu, South Korea.

Delighted councillor McCabe said: “While we knew we had a great case and an outstanding presentation, there was always the thought in the back of our minds that we could be pipped at the post.

“When the ICG committee made its announcement, I have to admit I was overjoyed with emotion for what we had achieved for Lanarkshire.

“And I know that goes for my three colleagues who put forward such a passionate case for Lanarkshire.”

Now the two councils will put into gear the first stages of an operation that in 2011 will welcome up to 2,000 young athletes aged between 12 and 15, along with coaches and officials, from over 70 countries.

Mr Cox said he believed Alex Salmond’s support had made a big impact with the ICG committee.

“It was clear they could see he was passionate about Lanarkshire winning the Games,” said Mr Cox.

And chairman of New Lanarkshire Limited Ian Livingstone added: “It was also clear that the First Minister understood the event would deliver a huge boost to both Lanarkshire and to Scotland, especially in terms of the economic spin-offs through tourism and raising the Scottish profile around the world.”

Lanarkshire submitted their official bid to host the Games early last year.

This was followed by an official inspection by the ICG Executive Committee, who spent six days touring the region’s sports and cultural facilities to assess its suitability as a potential host of the world’s largest youth sporting event.