‘We’re helping more people than ever to get fit and physically active’
GLASGOW has succeeded in its bid to be named the European Capital of Sport in 2023, becoming the first city to take the title twice.
The announcement has been made by ACES Europe, a non-profit association based in Brussels – with 2023 marking 20 years since Glasgow first gained the accolade.
Holding the title will coincide with welcoming the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships while, over the next 12 months, the city is hosting the 2019 LEN Short Course Swimming Championships, the 2020 LGT World Men’s Curling Championship and UEFA Euro 2020 fixtures.
Councillor David McDonald, depute leader of Glasgow City Council and chair of Glasgow Life, said it was a “huge honour” to be named the European Capital of Sport.
“Sport is part of this great city’s DNA and our record in successfully hosting some of the world’s biggest and best sporting events is something we are renowned for,” he said.
“It has been critical in both Glasgow’s physical and social regeneration and for our cherished and growing reputation as an internationally-connected, outward-looking and vibrant city.
‘‘ Sport is part of this great city’s DNA
“In addition to attracting the world’s finest athletes to Glasgow, we’ve invested in our sport venues, helping more people than ever to get fit and physically active in our world-class facilities.” Glasgow had been vying for the title with Genoa, in Italy, which has been awarded the accolade for 2024.
The city declared its intention to bid in January 2019, with ACES Europe judging against its five key principles: physical exercise as enjoyment; take part to compete; group spirit and feeling; fairness and respect, and; improving health. The award recognises Glasgow has invested more than £200million in its sporting venues since 2003 and demonstrated a commitment to supporting grassroots level sport.
The 2014 Commonwealth Games, the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships and the 2018 European Championships were all held in the city.
Mr McDonald said: “We’re proud of our community engagement, more than doubling our citizens’ participation in sport and remain committed to nurturing grassroots sport to improve residents’ wellbeing
“It is a huge honour that this investment and our commitment to sport has been recognised by ACES Europe and we’re thrilled that Glasgow will be the first European city to have won this great accolade twice.
“In 2023, the eyes of the world will once again be on Glasgow and Scotland as we host the first ever UCI World Cycling Championships – and as the European Capital of Sport, we further add to our global sporting credentials.”
Gian Francesco Lupattelli, president of ACES Europe, said: “It gives me great pleasure to announce Glasgow will be the European Capital of Sport 2023.
“The city’s vision is to make sport and physical activity a part of citizens’ daily routine and a key part of both social and economic regeneration.
“Glasgow has been a global beacon, using sport and culture as key drivers in the city’s resurgence and that is why the city is the first to win the title twice. There is nowhere quite like Glasgow.
“I can see that the city has not stood still since 2003 but gone from strength to strength, with the addition of some truly world-class facilities and sport and health initiatives taking place which has seen usage levels rise significantly.”
Glasgow will be formally recognised as the European Capital of Sport 2023 at a ceremony at the European Parliament in Brussels on December 10, 2019.
At the event, Budapest, the current European Capital of Sport, will hand over the baton to Malaga. Lisbon will have the title in 2021 before The Hague is awarded the accolade in 2022.