Councillors Approve Glasgow 2018 Youth Olympic Games Bid

Glasgow is expected to submit a bid to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) next month for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games after local councillors backed the plans

The city will now formally submit a bid to the International Olympic Committee next month and will compete against five other cities who have lodged an interest – Poznan (Poland), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Guadalajara (Mexico), Medellin (Columbia) and Buenos Aires (Argentina).

On Thursday, councillors from Glasgow City Council’s Executive Committee meeting heard from chief executive George Black.

He said the majority of the infrastructure required for the Games would be in place by 2018 following the Commonwealth Games in two years’ time, including the Hydro Arena and the National Hockey Centre at Glasgow Green.

The only two facilities which will need to be built are a BMX track and a diving pool.

Glasgow City Council will fund 30% of the Games Delivery Budget, with the remaining figure picked up by the Scottish Government.

The Youth Olympic Games were first held in Singapore in August, 2010. It is held every four years and involves around 3600 athletes between the ages of 15 and 18.

Glasgow’s programme would involve 28 sports.