Bid to bring 'mini-Olympics' to Lanarkshire

Oct 25 2007 By Shirley Bartynek

A MULTI-MILLION-POUND bid has been launched to host the International Children’s Games in Lanarkshire in 2011.

If the county is successful in winning the bidding race, it will be the first time that the event has been held in Scotland.

The county’s bid rivals are Singapore and Daegu in South Korea.

A decision on where the 2011 games will be held will be announced in July at the 2008 games in San Francisco.

Dubbed ‘the Mini Olympics’ and recognised by the International Olympic Committee, the Games, it is hoped, would boost the Lanarkshire economy and raise the county’s profile.

The 2009 games are to be held in Athens, and Manama, Bahrain, will host the 2010 event.

Lanarkshire’s bid has been backed by First Minister Alex Salmond and his predecessor Jack McConnell.

The team behind the bid — Lanarkshire’s two local councils and civic pride group New Lanarkshire Limited — are aware that competition to win the Games will be tough.

However, if Lanarkshire is successful, it could mean that almost 2000 competitors, officials and coaches from more than 70 countries will come to the county.

Both councils have underlined their commitment to landing the games by agreeing to contribute £1million each towards the costs.

South Lanarkshire Council leader Eddie McAvoy said: “It is a move that clearly acknowledges the positive impact the event would deliver to Lanarkshire both in terms of international kudos and tangible economic benefits.”

Larkhall Councillor Jackie Burns, who is a member of the Lanarkshire Games bid steering group, knows at first hand the benefits to be gained from taking part in the Games.

He is a long-time supporter of the International Children’s Games (ICG), having attended three of them.

He said: “I know what a valuable experience it has been for the youngsters who have taken part and I know that Lanarkshire would maintain the high standards of the ICG and give the young people, coaches and delegations from around the world a warm and traditional Scottish welcome.”

Both local authorities say that the range of facilities available throughout the area would offer competitors at a Lanarkshire Games high-quality training and practice facilities.

New Douglas Park in Hamilton and Motherwell’s Fir Park were highlighted as potential venues for the Games’ opening and closing ceremonies.