The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Ross gets Glasgow’s games up and running
Commonwealth gold winner acts as ambassador for next big Scottish event
I’ve got great memories of competing in Glasgow – the fans are something else. ROSS MURDOCH, PICTURED
About 250,000 sports fans are expected to cheer on the continent’s athletes after tickets went on sale for the Glasgow 2018 European Championships.
Co-hosted with Berlin in Germany, the event brings together more than 3,000 athletes from 52 nations to compete in aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, rowing, triathlon and golf.
Swimmer Ross Murdoch – who won gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow – has been named as the first ambassador of the inaugural event.
He said: “I’ve got such great memories of competing in Glasgow – the fans really are something else and that really brings out the best in athletes.
“You always want to perform in front of passionate fans in packed venues and that is what you get when you compete in Glasgow. It is an unbelievable place to perform in.
“That is what will make the Glasgow 2018 European Championships so special.”
Public health and sport minister Aileen Campbell said: “We know the passion and support shown by fans in Scotland helped to make both the 2014 Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup a huge success and we want that replicated across the country next year.
“We are expecting a quarter of a million people to turn out and cheer on top sporting talent at events across Scotland and I encourage anyone who wants to be there and experience that famous Scottish welcome to get their tickets.”
Glasgow City Council leader councillor Susan Aitken added: “Glasgow 2018 will be a truly historic sporting moment as Europe’s very best athletes go for gold in our magnificent sporting arenas.”
Tickets for the competition – being held between August 2 and 12 next year – can be purchased from www.glasgow2018.com/tickets.