We’re No1 in world for cycling facilities but athletes are only borrowing them from the people of Glasgow
Senior councillor on championing sporting legacy for city
SCOTLAND has established itself as the world’s No1 location for sports cycling, thanks to the European Championships.
And investment in this year’s games has seen Glasgow leap into the world’s top five sporting cities.
The senior councillor who helped deliver the 2018 championships says Scots will be able to emulate their sporting heroes at the top-class venues once the races are over.
Glasgow City Council depute leader David McDonald said the authority were determined to have “no white elephants”, meaning every facility created for these championships and the 2014 Commonwealth Games are an asset for the public.
He added: “It is fair to say that the professional athletes have merely borrowed these world-class facilities for a couple of weeks.
“The outdoor cycling facilities are formed on public spaces and anyone who wants to have a bash on their mountain bike or BMX can simply turn up and ride the same course they watched,
along with millions of people worldwide, on the TV.
“We were determined to have no white elephants and we have achieved that.
“We believe that the exposure brought by the games will certainly bring a bigger uptake of facilities, which is good for the people of Glasgow and beyond.
“The BMX facilities are new and there has been a great buzz about what has been created in the Knightswood area.”
McDonald, who is also chairman of sport and culture organisation Glasgow Life, said the city is now riding high in the world rankings.
He said: “Glasgow is one of the world’s top five cities for hosting sporting events.
“That’s incredible for a city of our size and shows just how much we punch above our weight. What we’ve seen with the Glasgow 2018 European Championships is a continuation of that story.
“We’ve invested hundreds of millions in our world-class infrastructure and from the Tollcross International Swimming Centre to the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome at the Emirates Arena, we’ve watched the world’s best breaking records and going for gold.
“While it’s fantastic to watch the likes of Adam Peaty in the pool, or Katie Archibald on the track, it’s important to remember these centres were built for the people of Glasgow.
“While we’re always pleased to welcome the world’s best, these facilities will be back in public use over the next few days.”
The infrastructure to support top-level cycling is unrivalled.
McDonald said: “With the addition of the BMX track at Knightswood, Glasgow is the only city in the world where cyclists can take part in all four Olympic cycling disciplines – track cycling,
mountain biking, road and BMX.
“If you fancy a swim, you can try for your own 50m record at Tollcross in not one, but two Olympic-sized pools.”
The cost of hosting the European Championships was £90million – two per cent of the bill for an Olympics. Yet it has attracted 40 per cent of the number of competitors an Olympics would bring.
Athletes were put up in budget hotels and student accommodation and costs like PR were pared down from the Commonwealth Games.
Research proved that the Commonwealth Games brought an increase in sports participation in the city – up 18.2 per cent since 2009. Now 71 per cent of adults take part in sports and exercise.
The city’s sports facilities hosted the 2017 Badminton World Championships and several David Cup tennis ties – and will welcome next year’s UCI Track Cycling World Cup.
Glasgow was ranked in the top five of the world’s Ultimate Sport Cities by SportBusiness International.