With 400 Days to go, Clyde meets over 250,000 getting excited for Glasgow 2014

With only 400 days until the Opening Ceremony, Glasgow 2014 can today (Tuesday 18 June) reveal that Clyde, the official Games Mascot has hit the milestone of meeting 250,000 people from Royalty to fun-runners.

As well as thousands of youngsters in 1000s of schools across the country, Clyde has rubbed shoulders with a number of well-known names including the Duchess of Cambridge, Great Britain's greatest ever Olympian Sir Chris Hoy and boxing's golden girl Nicola Adams.

In 400 days, Glasgow will be a hive of sporting and cultural activity as the eyes of the world focus on the city and the XX Commonwealth Games. Venues across the city are on track for completion well ahead of the Games, and venues such as the Emirates Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome are already hosting high-profile international competitions.

The public's excitement towards the Games has also increased - demonstrated through Glasgow 2014 campaigns such as volunteer recruitment, which saw a fantastic 50,811 applications received with 38% of these from young people aged between 16 and 25. Glasgow 2014's family-friendly and accessible approach to ticketing will also give people across the country the opportunity to enjoy world-class sport first hand.

Building excitement about the largest sporting and cultural event Scotland will ever host, Clyde is travelling the length and breadth of the country, meeting and greeting young people while informing them about the opportunity they have to play their own part in Glasgow 2014.

Clyde was designed by schoolgirl Beth Gilmour, 13, from Cumbernauld. Beth won a UK-wide Blue Peter competition, from over 4000 entries, to design the Glasgow 2014 Mascot, which will become known by people all around the world. Clyde was welcomed to the world at an event at BBC Scotland's Pacific Quay on the banks of the River Clyde in September last year.

David Grevemberg, Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, said:

"With just 400 days until the Glasgow 2014 Opening Ceremony, momentum is definitely building. Clyde, our friendly face of the Games, has been out spreading the Glasgow 2014 message far and wide. He's friendly, fun and cheeky, just like his home city of Glasgow.

"Young people are at the heart of the Games and Clyde will continue to welcome youngsters to join him in his exciting journey to Glasgow 2014."

Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison said:

"There are now only 400 days to go until Glasgow 2014, and Clyde is doing an excellent job meeting young and old the length and breadth of the country spreading the excitement of the Commonwealth Games. Anticipation is building and Glasgow, and Scotland, are getting ready to host a spectacular Games."

Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow City Council, said:

"The landmark of 400 Days to Go until the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games is notable as much of the work around venues and infrastructure is nearing completion, and we are now moving towards preparing for the Games as an event. The excitement towards what will be a fantastic time for Glasgow and Scotland is growing, and I am sure we can all look forward to an unforgettable summer of sport in 2014."

Michael Cavanagh, Chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said:

"Over the next 400 days, athletes from all 17 sports will be striving to fulfil their potential for a chance to represent Team Scotland at a home Games. Whilst there is still a long way to go, focus is shifting towards Glasgow 2014 and an increasing number of athletes are reaching selection standards which is very encouraging.

"We urge the Scottish public to support our athletes and share their journey to the Games and we look forward to selecting what we hope will be our biggest ever team to compete in Glasgow next year."

Note to Editors

1. The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving 71 teams of athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years. Glasgow 2014 will be the XX Commonwealth Games and will be held from 23 July to 3 August. It will feature 17 sports in 11 days of competition with 250 medal events on show. The Games will play host to 4500 athletes and sell 1,000,000 tickets with the event aided by an army of 15,000 volunteers. Glasgow 2014 Ltd is the official name for the Organising Committee tasked with delivering the Games in partnership with the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Commonwealth Games Scotland.

2. Glasgow 2014’s family of official sponsors is Longines, SSE, Emirates, Virgin Media, Harper Macleod, Search Consultancy, Ernst & Young, Atos, Dell, Toshiba TEC, A.G. Barr, NVT Group, RGS, Trespass, Riedel and Ticketmaster.

3. For further information please contact Iain Clark on 030 2014 0135 and Iain.Clark@Glasgow2014.com

4. Clyde has an official online home at www.glasgow2014.com/mascot and can be followed on twitter: @Clyde2014

As a service to our readers, Around the Rings will provide verbatim texts of selected press releases issued by Olympic-related organizations, federations, businesses and sponsors.

These press releases appear as sent to Around the Rings and are not edited for spelling, grammar or punctuation.

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only