KEY commonwealth games Events

Scotland will be the only place to be for sports fans next summer when an extravaganza of sports is played out in venues across the country over 11 days at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

A total of 17 sports will be on offer during the international event involving 71 teams of athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations from July 23 to August 3.

The Games will kick off with an opening ceremony at Celtic Park on Wednesday, July 23, and sports fans will be able to enjoy a variety of sporting highlights throughout the duration of the Games.

Athletic track and field events will take place in Hampden Park from Sunday July 27 to Saturday August 2 and marathon runners will take to the streets of Glasgow on Sunday July 27.

The shooting events will be a particular highlight for Courier Country as they are held over five days at the Barry Buddon Shooting Centre in Carnoustie in Angus from Friday July 25 to Tuesday July 29.

Track cycling events will be held at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and there will also be outside road and mountain bike events on Tuesday July 29, Thursday July 31 and Sunday August 3.

The aquatic events will go on for the duration of the Games, with swimming competitions in Tollcross International Swimming Centre from Thursday July 24 to Tuesday July 29, and diving at the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh from Wednesday July 30 to Saturday August 2.

Lawn bowls will take place at the Kelvingrove bowling greens from Thursday July 24 to Friday August 1.

The triathlon events will be held in Strathclyde County Park on Thursday July 24 and Saturday July 26.

Other sporting spectacles on offer during the Glasgow Games will be badminton, boxing, gymnastics, hockey, judo, netball, rugby sevens, squash, table tennis, weightlifting, para-sport power lifting and wrestling.

The completions will come to a dramatic finale with a closing ceremony at Hampden Park on Sunday August 3.