Sir Chris Hoy Launches Glasgow's One-Year Countdown to Commonwealth Feast of Sport

Six-time Olympian and double Commonwealth Gold medal winner Sir Chris Hoy today (Tuesday 23 July) fired off a festival day of sporting and interactive fun in Glasgow as the city and Scotland celebrated the magical one-year milestone to the Commonwealth Games.

Sir Chris kick-started a day of celebration by supporting a people’s Glasgow 2014 Cycle Challenge and a Breakfast of Champions with lucky sports fans in the middle of the city’s main shopping zone, Buchanan Street. Glasgow 2014’s cheeky mascot, Clyde, also took to the streets to join dancers, musicians and street performers in showcasing how vibrant and fun the city will feel at Games time.

At the heart of the day’s action was the unveiling of the Glasgow 2014 Official Ticketing Guide – the route to up to one million seats at the heart of the Games live action, across 17 sports. The Ticketing Guide, featuring stunning athletic imagery from across the sports programme, sets out full details how everyone can be part of an accessible and affordable Commonwealth Games.

From today 350,000 copies of the guide will be available across Scotland and online at www.glasgow2014.com/tickets

Sir Chris joined Team Scotland athletes, Glasgow 2014 Chairman Lord Smith and Games Partners for its official launch. Ticketing for the Games goes live on Monday August 19, when sports fans can make their ticket choices.

Glasgow 2014 tickets are affordable, making the Games a must-be-part-of occasion for everyone. Prices start at £15 for all sports, with half-price tickets for under 16s and over 60s. Two thirds of all sports tickets are £25 or under and there are no booking fees for any tickets. The ticket price also includes public transport in the local area on the day of the sports session.

All this and the chance to see the Commonwealth’s greatest sports stars in action, in Scotland!

Glasgow 2014 Ambassador, Sir Chris Hoy, said:

"It’s a real thrill to be in the heart of Glasgow today celebrating the One Year to Go milestone to the Commonwealth Games. Glasgow 2014 is the biggest sporting celebration coming to the UK next year, the biggest sporting occasion ever seen in Scotland and the next opportunity to see a wealth of top athletes and the next generation of superstars in action.

"The Commonwealth Games has a very special place in my heart. It’s an occasion like no other in sport and I have no doubt that Glasgow and Scotland will ensure next year’s Games are an unforgettable and enjoyable experience for athletes and spectators alike. I’d encourage everyone to be part of this. Roll on next year and bring on Glasgow 2014!"

Daniel Keatings, Scottish Gymnast and front page star of the Official Ticketing Guide, said:

"I’m honoured and proud to be on the front cover for the Glasgow 2014 Ticketing Guide. Glasgow 2014 is going to be one of the biggest competitions in my career and the thought of standing on the podium in Glasgow next year in front of a home crowd means everything.

"Growing up and training as an athlete, you always want to test yourself against the best athletes on the biggest stages. A major championships in your home country, it makes it that extra bit special."

Lord Smith of Kelvin, Chairman of Glasgow 2014, said:

"Today marks a special moment in the journey towards the biggest sporting and cultural festival Glasgow and Scotland has ever hosted.

"With one year to go, the Organising Committee is making great strides towards our ultimate goal of delivering an outstanding Games for the athletes of the Commonwealth.

"All permanent sports venues are open and in use, we are interviewing up to 1000 prospective volunteers each week and from today our Ticketing Guide throws open the opportunity for people to start planning their live Games experience. Glasgow 2014 is becoming an exciting and fast-approaching reality and everyone is welcome to be part of it."

Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said:

"We are delighted to see the launch of the Official Ticketing Guide today which does a fantastic job of depicting the exciting and dynamic nature of all 17 sports in the Games, highlighting the skill and power of the athletes in action. We are particularly proud that four Team Scotland hopefuls feature in it, including gymnast Daniel Keatings on the cover; double Commonwealth Games gold medallist in shooting Jennifer McIntosh; rugby 7s captain Colin Gregor; and Commonwealth Games silver medallist, weightlifter Peter Kirkbride.

"In exactly one year’s time Team Scotland’s athletes will be ready to go up against the best in the Commonwealth and make their mark at the biggest international sporting event to come to these shores. We urge the public to buy tickets when they go on sale next month and make sure that the venues are filled with cheering Scots, helping to make home advantage count."

Shona Robison, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, said:

"The chance to be involved in one of the world’s biggest sporting events becomes a reality today with the launch of the Official Ticketing Guide. People can now start to plan their visit and look at all of the events Scotland will be hosting.

With one year to go until we welcome world-class athletes and supporters from around the globe, we are ready to showcase the best Scotland has to offer as the international spotlight on our country intensifies. Seeing the ticketing guide makes all the hard work a reality and adds to the excitement of hosting, what I know, will be a spectacular event."

Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said:

"As the excitement around the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games mounts as we mark one year until the Opening Ceremony, I would encourage everyone looking to see some of the greatest athletes on earth to consider that tickets for the ten days of competition will soon be on sale.

"This is a unique event for Glasgow - one that may not return to Scotland for many years – and we are determined to put on the greatest show that we can. Glasgow has a huge amount to offer to our visitors, and coming to the city next summer to see the amazing sport is sure to attract many people for what will be a time to remember."

Mike Hooper, Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Executive, said:

"One Year to Go is a significant milestone for every Commonwealth Games and, while Glasgow will be the centre of the celebrations, it is an occasion that will be marked across the 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth as anticipation levels build ahead of the Games next summer."

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