Glasgow’s Bid to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) will reach out to young people across the world.
That is the message from three of Team GB’s medal winning stars at the London 2012 Olympic Games, who were today (Tuesday) unveiled as Champions for Glasgow’s Bid to host the 2018 YOG.
Britain’s most successful female rower Katherine Grainger CBE, who last summer added gold to her three previous Olympic silver medals, Michael Jamieson, silver medallist in swimming, and Jade Jones, who won Team GB’s first ever tae kwon do Olympic gold, join a growing list of high-profile supporters of the Glasgow 2018 YOG Bid.
Glasgow’s Bid has young people at its very heart and seeks to capitalise on the opportunities created by London 2012 and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games as well as the city’s world-class sporting events programme. These opportunities are what the Champions believe put the city in a unique position to host the Games.
Katherine Grainger CBE, who has won six World Championship titles as well as an Olympic gold medal, said: “Glasgow has an outstanding track record of hosting major sporting events. Over the years the city has shown it has what it takes to put on a show and this is exactly what it aims to do in 2018. Glasgow 2018 will inspire young people to be champions in their lives. We want to reach out to young people across the world and make 2018 a year to remember for young people.”
Michael Jamieson, who is a former pupil at the Glasgow School of Sport, said: “Having grown up in Glasgow I know just how committed the city is to developing sport at all levels. That commitment helped me prepare for competition against the best in the world at London 2012. Glasgow is a vibrant, energetic and passionate city and I know the young people of the world would respond to that in 2018.”
Jade Jones, who won gold at the 2010 YOG in Singapore, said: “The Youth Olympic Games hold a special place in my heart. Singapore was the start of an incredible Olympic journey for me and I would love to see that continue through to 2018 in Glasgow. London 2012 showed just how passionate the British public is when it comes to sport and that is what young people can expect in Glasgow. I know that Glasgow will be the beginning of a great Olympic career for so many young athletes.”
The Glasgow 2018 ‘Be a Champion in your Life’ campaign has already won the support of the Prime Minister David Cameron and Olympians including Dame Kelly Holmes, Beth Tweddle and Kristian Thomas.
Glasgow 2018 Bid Director Paul Bush said: "The biggest strength of our Bid to bring the 2018 Youth Olympic Games to Glasgow is our young people. They are at the very heart of everything we do and will ensure that we reach out across the world. Our Bid is not just about Glasgow, Scotland and the UK – it is about bringing together young people from all over the world for a truly world-class celebration of sport.”