Glasgow bids to Team up at 2021 Euros
GLASGOW is ready to launch a bid to stage the 2021 European Team Championships as UK Athletics gears up to land more major events in the next decade.
With the 2019 European Indoor Championships already coming to the Emirates Arena it’s understood preliminary discussions have begun to bring the biennial summer event – which features the top-12 countries in Europe – to Scotstoun Stadium.
And UKA is also pondering an attempt to bring the European outdoor championships to London in 2022 to make the most of their one month per year tenancy agreement for the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.
UKA’s director of strategy Nigel Holl said: “We will see Stratford in fine form for both world championships this summer.
“But there is European outdoor championships at some point. We would be due for that. European Team Championships is still a good event.
“Could Scotland host that at some point? It’s been talked about.
“These things are cyclical and we have been through a great phase from 2012 to 2019 when we’ve had just about everything.
“But there will be other events and athletics in the UK does great events.”
Officials from Glasgow were in Serbia last weekend to observe this year’s European indoors as part of their planning process for the next edition in two years – with a sense of confidence the build-up which will see tickets go on sale after next March’s world indoors in Birmingham is fully on track.
And although there were a wealth of empty seats in Belgrade, European Athletics executives have forecast a sellout in 2019 on the back of the successes of homegrown stars like double gold medallist Laura Muir.
Holl said: “Glasgow 2019 is one more showcase. Indoors doesn’t work for everybody. Lynsey Sharp wasn’t in Belgrade. Some don’t do it.
“But come 2019 there will be some top-class Scottish athletes who will thrive on being at home in Glasgow.”
Scottish Government officials have expressed their initial support for luring the 2021 European Team Championships which were last held in the UK in Gateshead in 2013.
The draft proposal would see a temporary overhaul of Scotstoun, including extra seats and a grass infield to replace the current artificial surface.
And it would be able to capitalise on the volunteer and expertise base gained from the 2019 indoor showpiece.
Eventscotland executive Rhona Corscadden said: “There is a long tradition of big events in Glasgow, in Scotland, with a big audience.
“There is no denying it’s big for Glasgow but it’s relatively simple to deliver with all the experience UKA have.”