The Host City of the XX Commonwealth Games, Glasgow, has continued its rise up the global rankings of the world’s top sporting cities after it climbed three places to finish fifth in the world at the prestigious 2016 SportBusiness Ultimate Sport City Awards.
Glasgow was also named the number one city in the world in the Legacy category in reflection of its longstanding commitment to increasing participation and creating new sporting opportunities for citizens in the lead up to and beyond the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The announcement was made at the SportAccord Convention in Lausanne.
The SportBusiness Ultimate Sports City Awards, which are held every two years, are the internationally recognised and longest established rankings of the world’s top sports hosts. Glasgow secured a ranking of eighth in the world in 2014, having moved up one place from ninth in 2012. The city made its debut in the 2010 rankings when it finished in 11th place.
The news comes during a prolific and prestigious era for sport in the city. Building on the success of the best ever Commonwealth Games, Glasgow delivered the FIG World Gymnastics Championships, the IPC Swimming World Championships and two historic Davis Cup ties in 2015.
In 2017 Glasgow will host the World Badminton Championships and the city will also co-host the inaugural European Championships in 2018 – an exciting new multi-sport event that will bring together the existing European events in athletics, aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon along with a new team golf event. Around 3,025 athletes will travel to Scotland as part of a total delegation of around 8,500 including officials, media and others.
Chief Executive of Glasgow City Council, Annemarie O’Donnell, said: "Glasgow’s sporting reputation has never been higher. Our rise as one of the world’s top sporting cities has been secured thanks to our investment in world-class facilities, our international events programme and our commitment to increasing participation and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations. To be ranked fifth in the world at the SportBusiness Ultimate Sport City Awards and to have won the Legacy Award is testament to our city’s love of sport."
Congratulating the former host city on its achievement, David Grevemberg CBE, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation said: "In Glasgow, we all experienced the special magic that is created when a great sporting spectacle is combined with pride, passion and professionalism in the friendliest of cities. At Games time, Glasgow and its citizens wrapped their arms around every athlete and visitor - but long before that, and long since, they have worked tirelessly to embrace opportunities and make the most of the potential for positive impact and transformational change. We’re proud and delighted that Glasgow has been internationally recognised for their commitments to sport and legacy."
Rachael Church, Head Judge and Founder of Ultimate Sports Cities, said: "It is no surprise to me that Glasgow continues to move up the rankings of the SportBusiness Ultimate Sports Cities awards and has won the Legacy Award.
"Glasgow is an all-rounder when it comes to hosting major sports events, choosing ones that fit carefully devised objectives while at the same time showcasing a vibrant sports-mad city. The legacy benefits of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will continue for generations to come and are to be applauded and admired."
A number of Commonwealth Sports Cities also won prestigious accolades in the SportBusiness awards, including: Best XS Sports City (Manchester), Best Small Sports City (Glasgow), Best Medium Sports City (Auckland), Best Large Sports City (Melbourne) and Best XL Sport City (London). The host of the upcoming Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast, won a special award for Best Newcomer.
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