Glasgow ‘ready’ to host Commonwealth Games, says John Swinney

Glasgow is ready to host the Commonwealth Games despite the “ambitious” renovation work being carried out in the city, Scotland’s First Minister has said.While projects currently involve areas such as George Square, in the heart of Glasgow, being redeveloped, John Swinney said the work would not detract from the Games.The sporting contest will get underway later this week after an opening ceremony on Thursday which will be attended by King Charles and Queen Camilla.While concerns have been raised about Glasgow’s state, Mr Swinney told BBC Radio Scotland’s Breakfast programme: “The city is ready for the Games.”King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected at Thursday’s opening ceremony for the tournament. (Justin Tallis/PA)The First Minister added: “Yes, there are challenges within the city in terms of projects that are underway, the redevelopment and renovation of George Square.“There is a lot of renovation work going on, Glasgow City Council have taken forward very ambitious projects around the city’s realm.“They are a work in progress, but the Games are here. And, if they weren’t here, the Games wouldn’t be taking place anywhere in the world.“So, it is a huge tribute to Glasgow for stepping up to the plate and enabling the delivery of the Commonwealth Games.”Glasgow stepped in to host the tournament after Victoria in Australia pulled out amid concerns over rising costs, meaning this year’s contest will be smaller than when the Games were last held in Glasgow in 2014.But Mr Swinney said that organisers had delivered the event “in an absolutely record time scale” and there was said there was “an unbridled enthusiasm and joy about coming to Glasgow” from the other nations taking part in the contest.He praised George Black, the chair of Glasgow 2026 Organising Company, saying: “This organisation had 18 months to save the Commonwealth Games and the team led by George Black have done exactly that, working with the city council in Glasgow and with partners in Commonwealth Games Scotland to make sure the Games can be well organised.”Read MoreThe First Minister said he was “looking forward” to what he was “sure will be an absolutely outstanding opening ceremony” in front of the King and Queen on Thursday.“I think it will be another joyful moment for the city of Glasgow,” he said.