Glasgow plans to keep 2014 CWG athlete-centred

The disastrous build-up that marred the Delhi Commonwealth Games has been a lesson for next host Glasgow, which plans to keep preparations "athlete-centred and sport-focused" to avoid any glitches. 

Asked what lessons have been learnt from Delhi, Glasgow 2014 Chairman John Scott said, "I've learnt we need to remain  absolutely true to our vision of being about sport. We understand the need to be athlete-centred and sport-focused." 

"If you get that right, the rest will fall into place. We will make sure that the village is right, that the venues are  right, that the sports programme is right," he was quoted as saying by The Independent.

Scott said Glasgow does not face as enormous a task as Delhi faced given its small size. 

"India has admitted it hasn't done this kind of event since 1982. They had a lot to take on. They also had a massive capital programme to monitor and supervise. Those multi-strands of challenge stretched them hugely," he pointed  out.

The Delhi Games were marred by a torrid build-up which included allegations of corruption, construction delays and a foot-bridge collapse but the event itself went off without any problem drawing to a close with a colourful ceremony on Thursday. 

Commonwealth Games Scotland Chairman Michael Cavanagh said at Glasgow, the hosts would aim to improve their medal tally. 

"The target for 2014 is that we will have the best medal performance from a Scotland team. That means 33," he said. 

Scotland won 26 medals in Delhi. 

Scott said Glasgow being a small city, infrastructure development would not be too big a task.

"All Games are different. We have not got the need for the facilities that a population of 13.5 million in Delhi alone requires. Glasgow is a city of some 500,000. What we will offer is something in a different way. 

"One of the great things about Glasgow is it's very compact. A 20-minute journey time to any of the venues is absolutely doable," he said.

Scott also promised an "appropriate legacy" of the Games. 

"There are no white elephants in Glasgow. Only two venues were not planned as part of the strategic development of Glasgow's community and high-performance need: the 50m swimming pool and the velodrome. The athletes' village is a huge housing development in the east end. It's a regeneration. It will be very different to the village here, because it's a housing complex that we will adapt to a Games mode," he said.