Sir Chris Hoy Named Glasgow 2018 Bid Champion

Sir Chris Hoy, Great Britain’s most successful Olympian, has been unveiled as a Bid Champion for Glasgow’s efforts to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (YOG).

The announcement comes exactly 100 days before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) makes its decision.

Sir Chris, a six-time Olympic gold medallist, joins fellow gold medal winners Katherine Grainger CBE and Jade Jones, as well as silver medallist swimmer Michael Johnson, as supporters of Glasgow’s bid to host the 2018 YOG.

Sir Chris said: “Cycling has played such an incredible and positive role in my life, I really want everyone from a young age to be able to enjoy the benefits of sport. Going to a Youth Olympic Games is about competing against the best in your age group. It is also about education, culture and the Olympic values and Glasgow 2018 would spread the spirit of Olympism to the next generation in a multicultural, cosmopolitan city.

“In Glasgow, you will experience the true warmth, friendliness and inclusiveness of Scottish hospitality. Youth Olympic Games athletes of the world will be welcomed and supported by young people and fans in their native tongue with over a 100 languages spoken in Glasgow. Almost every young athlete will have a home away from home here in Scotland.”

Glasgow 2018 Bid Director Paul Bush added: “Our Bid will empower and inspire young people and having the support of our greatest ever Olympian Sir Chris Hoy will ensure we reach out and inspire young people across the world. Time and time again Sir Chris has proved an inspirational figure when competing at the very highest level, not least at London 2012, showing just what can be achieved through sport. That inspiration is exactly what the world can expect from Glasgow in 2018.”